Good morning everyone!!!!!

This has been long overdue! 😥😥😥

Thanks for your patience while I was going through pre- Mummy duty🤣😅

I've been busy with this chapter since yesterday.

I haven't slept yet.... Please vote.

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Thank you very much

I love you all.

PS, it's a very long chapter!

Chapter 46

Unedited

5:05 am

Kilahi sat up in bed, still sleep-drugged. She barely slept the previously night because she spent half of it praying. She woke up that morning, feeling a pressure on her mind. She was disturbed.

She picked her Bible flipped it to a scripture then she shut her eyes muttering prayers.

"And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes." -Zechariah 9:8

Mrs George read this portion over and over again, "Lord what are you saying?" She whispered then she shut the bible turning towards her husband who laid in bed sideways. She was about to tap him when he instantly rolled over to face her.

"Is everything okay?"

His wife scoffed in surprise, "Look at someone i was about to wake." "I'm wasn't sleeping." He answered then he flashed a smile at her, "Good morning dear" "Good morning honey. How long have you been awake?" "About two hours now. I heard when you woke up and started praying. I didn't want to bother you."

"Are you okay? I hope you're not coming up with a sickness"

Mr George sat up then he groaned shaking his head, "No. I had a disturbing revelation" "Okay...." His wife trailed off in fear of what the revelation might be. Her husband wasn't the type to fret over anything. The look on his face made her heart pound, even though she tried not to show it.

"What was the dream about?" "It was a wedding day, obviously Gbadamosi's wedding day, the pictures were all over. The crowd that came was much during the church wedding was pretty much. It was late and the Pastor was waiting, the guest were waiting. Gbadamosi was not there, Kilahi was no there, as worried as we all were, i decided to check up on them. As I was going, I saw Kilahi, she had her wedding how on, she was running away in tears, her eyes were dripping with make up. The black one, what do they call it"

"Mascara"

"Tell me it's tears of joy"

"Nibo? I asked what happened and she pointed at Gbadamosi then she walked away. When I looked at my son, he was crying too. I've never seen my boy cry that way."

Mrs George snapped her fingers, "God forbid! My son will not cry in Jesus Name, I come against tears" " I asked him what happened that was when he handed a newspaper to me and there i saw bodly written on it. Renowed Pastor verses Side chick scandal. I dropped the paper on floor in shock and then I saw a woman laugh from behind me, when I turned back, she was walking away and when I returned my gaze back at Gbadamosi, I saw her standing beside him. The kind of laughter I heard sounded like mockery then she said, oh how the mighty has fallen. I woke instantly and I started to ponder then I switched to prayer. Cause I don't need Joseph or Daniel to interpret this dream"

Mrs George shook her head ins disbelief "No... No way, Gbadamosi is not promiscuous" "Yes. But I don't take such a message lightly, something is rising, there's fire burning somewhere but we don't know where. So we must be alert to quench the fire before it destroys our son" Mr George noted and his wife pulled a pillow onto her laps then she leaned on it. "I had a disturbing night too. I had a dream that I couldn't make sense out of. I had blindfolds on, for a moment I began to ask myself if there's still something I'm doing wrong. I already reconciled with my family. Then i received this scripture from the book of Ezekiel" She picked her bible up and opened up to the part then she read it out.

"And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes." She paused. "Maybe its a call as watchmen over our children to a avert something that might hinder our joy and we can't be ignorant" She assumed.

"It's not something, it's a woman"

"Gbadamosi is not that kind man, I can vouch for him"

"It was a scandal in that dream, it doesn't mean it happened. Someone is either trying to tarnish our son's image or the person is trying to have her way with him. That's how I interpret it" "But who?"

"The wedding is next month, you know what this means? The woman is close by and the devil getting ready to print that newspaper and shame our boy" "He lies! The devil is a bastard, baba nla bastard ni! There's no way on earth he'll win, not when we have God. He has lost already, no oppressor shall pass through us be it man or a woman"

"That is why it's necessary to continually make ourselves watchmen for our children no matter how grown they are. Whenever we hear a word from God, we give them warning" "Gbadamosi tells you everything! If there's a woman, I'm sure he must have mentioned it."

"He mentioned something about seeing a woman that once tried to seduce him during the art exhibition. He has said nothing since then"

"Why?" She asked and Mr George shrugged then he stretched his hands im order to take his phone from the side stool. "That's what I'm about to find out" He answered putting a call through to Gbadamosi. They both stared at the phone as they listened to it ring on loudspeaker mode.

"Good morning Dad."

"Good morning son"

"I was going to call you. I was waiting till seven, I didn't want to bother you. How are you Dad?" "I'm fine and you?" "I'm good"

"Really?"

"Yes. Am I not supposed to be good? How's Mom?"

"Gbadamosi Oluwapamilerin Jeremiah George"

"Am .... I in trouble?"

"What are you hiding from us?"

"Depending on the context"

"Your mother and i had a very disturbing revelation" "About what exactly?"

"Son, that woman that blocked you during Sam's exhibition, have you seen her since that day?"

Gbadamosi laughed at the precision but his mother scoffed in offense, "He's even laughing" "Is that Mom?" "No, it's your father's side chick" She snapped to his amusement cause the reply sent him laughing again.

"Gbadamosi, be serious!"

"I'm being serious, it's not my fault you're a stand up comedian"

"Do you see me with a clown uniform?"

"I can't see you but I can imagine the look on your face right now. I guess the phone on loudspeaker then" "Yes it is. Gbadamosi, this isn't funny" His father replied and he exhaled in defeat.

"Dad I know but we have to laugh about something right?" "I take this as a 'Yes' to my question then. You've seen her after that day" "Yes Dad and no, I don't have anything to do with her sexually"

"I didn't say so"

"It sounded like it"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I've been preoccupied, there's the women program this week and Rehab Camp program, there's also Easter next month, coupled with my part time work and I still have to make time for my relationship and church members. I expected that meetong at the art exhibition to be our last but she came to church two weeks ago"

Mr George sighed, "You must find a way to get rid of her. She's bad news and I mean that literally" "That's the tiny problem I have on ground, getting rid of her has proved difficult. She's like a lice in my head"

"Ah!" His mother exclaimed, "She must go oh! No no no! If you see the way Kilahi was crying in your father's dream. Her entire make up dripping from her face"

Mr George faced his wife, "Now I'm beginning to wonder who had the dream, was it me or you?" He asked and Gbadamosi laughed hard, "Shey?" "Gbadamosi Oluwapamilerin Jeremiah George, this matter is not funny" His mother yelled, "I hope you can hear me"

"Loud and clear"

"What do you mean by it's hard to get rid of her?"

"Why are you guys using get rid? I don't know any hire killer that can do the job, maybe you can recommend" He teased getting a frown from his mother, "Gbadamosi!" She snapped and he laughed.

"Your spirit seem to be high this morning"

"I'm a man of the spirit. Well, she's a new member in church"

"How? Why did you allow that?"

Mr George arced his brow at her, "Is he supposed to drive her away with a broom? Membership in the body of Christ is by free will" "In this situation, she's a blast from the past." "He still can't chase her away. Gbadamosi, you need to talk to the elders of the church and let them reach a decision and handle the whole thing."

"It occurred to me when I woke up, I already have it on my to-do list today. I'm only worried about what she might say to the press after she leaves the church. I don't want her making me look bad"

Mr George nodded towards his wife's direction, "Shey you see? Exactly what I saw in that revelation. Does she work with a newspaper company?" "No but she's a public figure"

His mother hissed, "Even though she works with CNN and Arise news! We will find a way to sort it out. How can someone just come into your life and then decide that she won't leave? Even if she's possessed we'll cast out the demon"

Gbadamosi chuckled, "If only you know who the person is" Mr George took a wild guess, "Let me guess, Bella?" "No" Mrs George answered shaking her head, "How can it be Bella?" "Dad is right, it's Bella"

Mrs George shook her head, "That... That can't be right. Neola Fapson hand picked her, it wasn't as if she talked her way into handling my birthday publicity. She came recommended, or was it by manipulation? No..." She continued shaking her head.

"I'm trying to wrap my head around this"

"I was shocked too when she told me she was covering your event. She has been persistent ever since, she came with claims to be born again but when she harassed me yesterday, I knew she wasn't close to being born again"

"Harass ke?" Mrs George wondered, "We didn't leave you two alone, how could"

"Under the table furing dinner... I don't even want to say it. That was why I left, I couldn't take it a second more"

Mrs George bit her nails, "Ah! Oooooooh!" She moaned regretfully, "Why didn't you say something" "What would you have done?" "The question is what wouldn't i have done? I would have fired her that moment"

"And we would have probably woken up to a news about me sexually assaulting my new church member, she might claim that you guys fired her because she complained. Society will support her and crucify the Pastor, it already played out in my head. That was why I left quietly. The only person who saw the whole thing was Uncle Coker. He advised me to open up to you two so we could reach a better approach to deal with this matter"

Mrs George scoffed, for the first time, she felt terrible about hiring Bella. "To think i even invited her to come join us for dinner but she had the audacity, the temerity to harass my own son under my own nose"

"In this case... Under your dinner table" Gbadamosi chipped in with a sharp chuckle.

Mr George gave a nod, "Have you warned her to stay away" "No. Yesterday was the last straw... When she called me back.. I was going to warn her but then she...." He trailed off then he continued, "Nah, I can't say that one."

Mr George creased his brow in thought, "At least we know who the problem is, let's work together to uproot it" "I was avoiding scandals in the first place"

"We can't fold our hands and do nothing"

Mrs George scoffed, "I'll talk to her today, woman to woman, I'll try my best to be calm but we need to on the preventive side for now " "You might have to fix the meeting in the afternoon to prevent suspicion. I plan on dealing with this situation today"

"What are you your plans?"

"By God's grace, i plan to take my freedom by force "

Mrs George creased her brow in perplexity, "Define by force"

Gbadamosi ended the call then he received a call from Kilahi. "Good morning Love" "Good morning Baby" "This one you're starting with Baby, burst my head!" He teased and she chuckles, "You make it so hard! I'll just rest from calling you baby cause this sugar rush you're always having when I do. I fear for your sugar level"

"My Baby is finally coming back to Lagos" "Don't act as if i stayed for a week" "Well, i miss you. It's one thing to know you're in Lagos and I can stroll over to see your parents as an excuse to see you not when you're in another State"

"I have a day off courtesy of Mrs Aisha. I saw it yesterday while I was getting ready for the fund raiser"

"You deserve It. How was the fund raiser? Sorry I couldn't call last night"

"No problem. I was dealing with something sha, I wasn't even in the mood for calls" "What were you dealing with?" "We'll talk when I get to Lagos, it's a long discussion" She answered.

Gbadamosi ended the call then he called her back. "Why did you end the call?" "For the long gist now" "I want to tell you in person, it's not a call conversation." "I hope it's nothing serious" "Nothing... It's embarrassing though."

He squinted his eyes with thoughts flying in his head.

"I love how you put me in suspense"

Kilahi giggled. This was followed by a loud yawn. "Now i have to get ready to take a bus to Abuja so i don't miss my flight. I wish Benue's airport has been completed, shey I would have just taken a taxi to the airport no stress! Anyhow, I still have to thank God I'm not traveling by road to Lagos."

"You better not do like a village woman when you get to airport. Remember everything this man taught you"

Kilahi gasped, "Choicest, I feel insulted right now. You didn't teach me anything!" "You that was copying my every move that day. See, you're going to Lagos, don't copy someone to the extent you're entering a plane to Ibadan"

"You're not close by. What I would have thrown at you, you wouldn't have believed it. How dare you? When did I copy you the last time?"

"The only thing you didn't copy was wearing the glasses I wore, I'm sure you would have if you had one"

She laughed out loud, "You mean that rubbish windshield you wore" "Windshield that had you swooning" "Oh please, I was scared for my life. You came as a terrorist, invade my life and heart and then you stole it away". Gbadamosi laughed, "At least something good came out from it"

"Toor" She replied then she heaved a sigh, "Hey Choicest... Are you okay?"

"Why did you ask? We were having a great conversation. Why ask that all of the sudden? Did God also show you a revelation?"

"No. Why did you ask?"

"Dad called, he had a revelation"

"Oh.... It's not a revelation, I woke up with this pressure in my heart, it was like a burden. You know that moment when you have a clog in your pipes, which causes undue pressure to build up inside of them."

"Yes, the pressure will eventually become too high for the pipe to withstand, and it will break"

"Exactly.. The burden was to pray for you, I don't know why, I'm still not light, I still feel heavy but I had to take a break and call you and also, I needed to prepare so I could go to the park. Is everything fine?"

Gbadamosi chuckled, "Bella was present at dinner yesterday" "Okay.... She's working with your mom, that makes sense. I'm sure Mommy ignorantly invited her, that's fine." "It was what she did that didn't make sense" "What did she do again?"

"I was just eating dinner Innocently when I felt her leg on mine"

"Really?"

"You think I'm joking... The worst was .... I can't even say it, her legs located my center" "Center?" She asked and Gbadamosi blushed at her naivety, "Yes center" "Oh my..... Jesus Christ! That's unacceptable, that's called a sexual harassment"

"Shey? This is one experience I can't forget in a hurry. I've seen stuff over the years but this one takes the cake! She even called last night after what she did"

"To apologize?"

"I wish!"

"Why did you even answer her call?"

"To warn her, then I heard her moaning? Can you ..." He winced at the thought of it, "Can you believe it?"

"Was she doing what I think? "

"I think so"

"No.... She has really outdone herself on this one... No no no... I must talk to her. Nah.. Once I get to Lagos, I don't mind going to her office, you can't do that to a man of God, not just a man of God, a man of God who is engaged. Maybe she keeps forgetting you're engaged, I might as well remind her, what rubbish?" She snapped and Gbadamosi chuckled.

"You sound beautiful when you're jealous. Iwish I can see your face right now."

Kilahi laughed then she hissed, "This is not funny. We need to take this to appropriate authority. In as much as we don't want to provoke her into posting lies on the internet, we can't keep quiet. Where has the silence gotten us? Maybe you should call Pastor Bamidele and seek for advice"

"I have"

"And?"

"I discussed my plans with him and he subscribed to it"

"What plan?"

"I'll be meeting her today"

Tito's mouth slid along Bella's neck, caressing sensitive places that made her moan. She opened her eyes with a smile, "Is that your idea of a wake up call?" "That's my way of telling you to wake up and find your way out before dawn"

"True." She answered rolling over him, "No way.. Don't start tempting me this Tuesday morning. Come and be going" "Are you sure?" She asked leaning her face for a kiss.

"What is this thing with you still calling me Gbadamosi, don't tell me you're still hung up on the guy" "I'm all in" "There are other vulnerable men, just leave Pastor Gbadamosi George alone. The man just fine, him no kill person" "I know you don't believe this but i genuinely like him."

"Bella"

"I'm not asking him to get married to me, all I want is to be have a piece of the pie"

"What if you end up disappointed and he doesn't rock your world?"

"Then I'll displace him. My satisfaction is knowing that there's one man down"

"No you won't! I know how these game go. I'm sure you're going have your little encounter recorded and then you'll end up using it against the man" "I don't mind being his forever bitch. I can be a concubine I don't mind, or his side-chick. He can have his Mama if he likes, I don't care as long I have him too!"

"What will you do if he ends up proving difficult? You're going to pin a scandal on him right?"

Bella laughed, "I'm not that horrible" "You are that horrible" "Kettle calling pot black, you're a horrible boyfriend. And the award for the worst boyfriend goes to no other than you." "Don't mess with good Pastors, what goes around, comes around, karma's a bitch. You might get the popularity but you'll never have real peace. I feel sorry for you"

"No, I feel sorry for your fiancé. Don't lay here preaching about what's right when you're the one still fucking a girl that isn't your girlfriend""

"I'll be different after marriage"

"You think so? You haven't been able to stop cheating before marriage, you think you'll miraculously stop overnight?" She asked propping her elbow on the pillow. "I still feel sorry for her"

Tito pushed her off, "I didn't ask for this, you came late at night. Not minding if Nneka was around" "You didn't send me away did you?" "I care about my relationship and I love my woman"

"And i care about Gbadamosi too, whether you choose to believe it or not. Part of me wish the story was different and I'm the one he'll be walking to the aisle but it's a different case. He has won my heart and soul, literally. I want him to make crusade ground and walk over me all he wants.

Tito shook his head, "You've finally gone mad. Are you just this isn't a sick obsession? You should see a psychologist"

Her phone rang, she took the phone surprised to see the caller ID, it was no other than Gbadamosi. She cleared her throat before answering the call. "To what do I owe this call?" "Good morning Sister Bella" "Good morning Daddy. I trust you slept well, did you think of me?"

"As you're aware, it's Tuesday and I feel the need to counsel you concerning yesterday's event, I'll like to meet you in church if you don't mind"

Bella bit her lower lips, "I don't mind... I know I've been a very bad girl so I won't mind having that counsel, maybe you could lay your hands on me, touch me and make me whole" She said slowly and sensually.

"Perfect. See you then"

"You can bet on it" She answered hearing the phone dial then she flashed a smile at Tito. "Who says I can't get him? I just got called in for counselling" "Why?" "Cause i've been a very naughty girl. " She purred, tiptoeing her fingers up his chest. "You and I know it's a booty call"

"What if he really wants to counsel you? I've heard countless testimony from others. Gbadamosi George doesn't bend to all those bullshit"

"We'll see when we get there"

"Oya come and be going. Hopefully you get delivered today"

"Amen Tito, amen to that" She propped herself on his chest then she grinned at him.

Ossy sat in the living room waiting for the school bus, Jennifer walked past him, she was already prepared to leave for work. "Good morning" He greeted and she turned towards him, "Aunty Jennifer, before you'll pass and not answer me, remember what I told you yesterday. Maybe you start calling me Uncle Issy"

"Good morning" She answered through her teeth.

"Eh hen. You know that this is the first time you're answering my greeting shey?"

Jennifer didn't pay attention, her eyes scattered in search of her earrings. "What are you looking for?" He asked but she ignored, "That thing you're looking for, I might have seen it but if you don't speak up, how will I know? I cannot read your mind"

Jennifer rolled her eyes, she couldn't bring herself down to answer. "I feel like I can read minds now... What you're looking for? Is it gold in color and has dancing legs" He asked and she turned towards him.

"How did you....?"

"Don't mind me, I saw it when Mummy was sweeping the floor, it's on the shelve there" He pointed at the television shelve close to the home theater stand. She quickly picked it up, "It's really expensive, I can't lose it"

Ossy nods, "Thank God we found it, you're supposed to say" "Thank you!" She answered before he could complete his sentence, "You don't have to be a pest about it" She added putting it on. "Why are you sad?" "It's not of your business" "I don't like people being sad around me?"

"Because you're funny?"

"No because...." He trailed off, "Sometimes.. I think God made me to put a smile on people's face, if someone is sick, I should be able to cheer the person up, if someone is feeling down, I should cheer the person up, even if it's to make the person smile. I'm a doctor of smile, I don't treat people's sadness but you just hate mommy and me for no reason. Do you know Mama Julius? She is one of Mama's friend, at least they were friends last year."

"I don't have time for this"

"No wait... There's moral lesson and the story is sweet. Please sit, shebi it's uber that you order? Don't worry, when they come I'll free you. Sit"

Jennifer sat down, "I hope you're comfortable" He asked and she rolled her eyes, "Go on with your story" "So Mama Julius and Mama, that's my grandmother, they used to be friends Oh. They always go for Thursday and Saturday meeting together. One day Julius and isioma now had a fight. Isioma is my cousin, isioma is not always ready to read but when it comes to fight and destroying things, she will summon all the snake in the dragon, shadow monkey, Jacki Chan and Jet Li spirit that she can summon

Jennifer hid a laughter, "She fought with a boy" "Yes. If she can add that spirit in reading, she will have the best position but if it's to run or walk from here to Jerusalem, Isioma will be first, bring out book she will just start crying, sometimes I always wonder if book has a hand that's always beating her, or maybe it's like onions that makes her cry. I'm talking about real life tears oh"

A chuckles escaped her lips. "Why are we talking about Isioma now?" "Isioma is a very interesting topic, doctors need to study that girl.That was how she did snake in the dragon move and broke my watercolor. Till I left Ebonyi Grandma did not replace it, she said I should use Aunty Chinasa's eye shadow"

A sharp laughter escaped her lips, "Where did you grow up in?" "In a village. They you always call me a village boy. I grew up there but I am still happy, I didn't have what I wanted but I am still a happy person. You and and grandma are the same, you don't always smile. Grandma can hate oh, if you are giving award for somebody that can carry someone in the mind, what do they call that word?"

"Malice?"

"Okay... In her heart she has built houses for different people she no longer talks to. She has locked them inside, she can't even remember where she kept the keys."

Jennifer exhaled.

"So that was how Julius went home and complained to his mother. She came and that was how Grandma and Mama Julius faced themselves. They did not ask what happened oh"

"Who won?"

"Grandma won... Where do you think Isioma took the strength from? Grandma and Mama Julius stopped being friends but Issy and Julius still continued speaking but Mama Julius does not like seeing Isioma till date. The moral lesson that i learnt is that you don't always put mouth in children's fight and whatever someone has done, you should not use the anger on their children. They are children, what do you want us to learn? If I want to follow your behavior to my mommy, I shouldn't even talk to you but because of God and my children Pastor. The way my teacher will be shouting forgive forgive, so.. I want to ask what has Mommy done to you?"

"Nothing"

"You cannot say nothing. Why do you hate her?"

"I don't hate her"

"Why did you call her an elephant?"

"When did I say that?"

"The next morning after I came to Lagos"

"I must have been angry or something"

"Is it every time you're angry, abi your own village people did not always take vacation. When my own comes, I start to st..ah....mmer." He stammered, "They have come, maybe its be..cause I was thinking of it"

Jennifer chuckles, "It's complicated, for every age there's a problem, I'm an adult with adult problems" "Aunty Sefa said the same thing but why do you adult make adultation look like a hard thing?" "There's nothing like adultation" "Are you sure?" He asked and she gave a nod.

"In my years as an adult, I've never heard of adultation"

"But you understand what I mean right?"

"When you grow up and start going through adult problems like girls, break up, ss"

"Songs..." Hilary chipped in, "Girls problem is enough Jennifer" She walked in giving her a look. "Dont give him things to think of more than he is, this one has an active mind. I don't have power to answer questions" She added.

Jennifer picked offense, "Its bad to listen to people's conversation" "You were speaking to my son, trust me, when it comes to a child, there's no breach in what I just did. You'll understand when you have yours"

Jennifer hissed and rose up from the chair angrily, that statement set off anger in her. "I'm off" "You're doing it again and you haven't said congratulations to Mummy" "Congratulations" Jennifer said through her teeth, "I just hope you don't mess this one up too" She snapped walking out and Hilary shook her head.

"It's well" Ossy whispered provoking a laughter from his mom, "Its really well." She replied with a smile. "I think it was sweet of you to want to speak to her. I'm proud of you baby"

The school bus horned twice and Ossy rose up lifting his bag.

6:34 am

Mrs Coker got out of the bathroom and her husband who handsome clad in a black senator piece turned his head at her. She has been in there crying. Her eyes were red and swollen already.

"Do you want to talk?" He asked and she rolled her eyes, "I just want to be on my own, just leave me alone already" She snapped and he held her hands.

"Badejo..."

He pulled her in for a hug and she lowered her face to his chest, and sobbed, her breath came in gasps and gulps. "You might get sick at this rate" His hands stroke her shoulders to soothe her pains.

"Do you want me to stay back?"

"For what?"

"As your husband, I don't mind staying"

"Badejo, you can go. I don't care" She hissed climbing on the bed. She pull back more and sat up straighter, clutching the pillow around her.

Rev Comer sat down too, "I don't expect you to completely forgive me. Yesterday we had a moment and I'm sure you still love me as much as I love you and I don't expect you acceptance so easily. I just want you to know that I'm here for you" He motioned his hands towards hers but she instantly retrieved it.

He rose up with a faint smile on his face, "How do I look? Handsome right?" He teased chuckling to himself. "Good bye dear, take care of yourself" He chipped in picking his keys and briefcase off the bed then he zoomed out of the room.

Mrs Coker dialed her sister's number on her phone. "Good morning Teni" "Good morning" Her voice returned back low and shaky. "Are you okay?" "No. After what happened with Maniola yesterday.... Badejo and I had a talk"

"Don't tell me you're finally agreeing to divorce"

"No! We had a good conversation, the best we've had in years. Um.... He asked me to forgive him again and...." "And?"

"We kissed... It was the best we've had... I miss it, I haven't been a good mother to my children and I want to start" "You're going to start by accepting Manny's girlfriend and son"

Mr Coker felt her heart clench at the mention of 'son'. Her heart hasn't settled with the reality! It still felt like a dream to him.

"What should I do? How can I go about it?"

"Invite her and her son for dinner"

"Do you think she'll come?"

"I don't know. There's no harm in trying" "Can you be there?" "No. When I invited you to see your own nephews, you said no." "I understand"

"Just kidding! I'll be there. Will Temi will be there too?"

"Yes, with Alade"

"What about Tani? Don't tell me you're leaving him out. If you're going to do everything right, that's the the first thing you should do. You've pushed him away for too long"

She leaned against the headboard then she let out a long sigh.

Brenda grabbed a set of work out clothes, canvas and then she stepped out of her room, into kitchen where her mother was cooking breakfast. "Is that fried eggs?" She asked walking to the fridge, "Yes" Her mother answered, "Just the way you like it" "With Olive oil?" "No. I used groundnut oil" "No Mom, I only use Olive oil and you know that?"

"When there's none, what was I supposed to do? Use the anointed one in the room?"

"You could have made the eggs poached then with runny yoke." She took out a chilled water bottle while her mom observed what she had on, "Why does it look like you're going to the gym" "I'm going to the gym alright"

"I thought you were going to the foundation."

"Temi called, apparently Kilahi won't be coming to work today. She has been granted off and I have no idea where she lives. You know what? I think I might end out where she lives cause I can't deal with the guilt anymore. I feel like the bad one when it was just a fuc.... Freaking misunderstanding.... Freaking" She recoiled from using foul words.

"Well, I was hoping you'll join me later in cooking for your father"

"Why will I do that? You've never asked me to do that? Why now?" "Is it a bad thing for a mother to proposed that to her own daughter?" "It's not, but it's strange. You've never asked me."

"You need to learn to cook our food"

"Mom, first off, i don't think I'll be getting married to a Nigerian, so I'm not going to bother myself with the stress of cooking. I make a mean burger, a mean sand which, avocado poached eggs and my spaghetti bolognese is to die for. Have you tasted it?"

"Isn't that spaghetti and stew for lazy people who don't want know how to cook a proper stew?"

"Mom don't say that! That's an insult to spaghetti bologna. Say no more Mom, someday I'll cook my delicious baloney recipe and I promise you, you'll never eat spaghetti and stew ever again."

"I'm talking real food here"

Brenda rolled her eyes, "Mom, I know you want a Nigerian man for me, why can't you just accept that maybe it's not for me? The truth is, I feel I'm not going to be good enough for any Nigerian man. There's going to be the part where he's gonna try to measure the number of wife material yard that I am and his family too is going to be at a corner with their measuring tape to know if I'm a hundred yard and I fear that I'm not going to be enough for any of them"

"Because of Gbadamosi?"

"Far from that, I don't want to raise my hopes up. African men have certain expectations for what a wife should be and the truth is Mom.... I really don't fall into any of their requirements and category." She answered kissing her mother on the cheek, "Later Mom"

Emerge Galleries

Sewuese

In the spirit of spring cleaning, Sam held a rubber broom to sweep the man cave in his gallery. He climbed on top of a wooden cabinet. With the broom, he pulled the cord of web but it made way into his eyes.

"Ugh!" He winced, "Blood webs got into my bloody eyes." He groaned rubbing his face against his arm. "It hasn't been three weeks and spiders turned my home into their home. You guys didn't think I'll be back so early did you?"

Someone knocked on the door so he paused turning his head at the door, "Who is it? Can you come back? I'm busy right now" He answered and Sewuese walked in. "Okay I'll come back later" She replied and he gasped for air. His gaze swept over her, she looked effortlessly beautiful!

A shiver rolled over her body, the super woman ego in her loved how she left him speechless. She exhaled shakily as he slowly lifted his eyes and gazed directly into hers.

"No no no.... I thought it was the receptionist. I didn't know it was you" A smile formed on his face. He jumped down deepening the smile.

"What are you doing here?" "Uh...." She faked thoughtfulness, "Wait let me see, why am I here?"

He made a lunge close to her armpit and she laughed being tickled, "Stop it" "Come on you know what I meant" "No, na you wan ask me question now. I came to see my grandparents, shey this room is a portal to Benue state" She replied looking around.

"Oh my God," She gasped almost believably, "I'm in Benue state"

Sam laughed, "You this Nigerian girl" "And you too, you this Oyinbo. Of course I came to see you" "I meant work, shouldn't you be at work?" "Well...." She trailed off scratching her hair, "I called in sick" She replied coughing quietly.

He threw his head backwards and a sharp laughter escaped his mouth, "Sewuese Adzer, you lied" "I didn't lie, I was love sick" She pouts tugging at the grey top he had on. "Hm hm, you lied, there's power in the tongue"

"Let's not turn this into a negative sermon please! I took a lost of risk with my tongue coming here. Aren't you happy to see me?"

Sam bit his lower lips, "I'm excited" He replied lowering his head and she chuckle, "What are you doing here?" She asked looking around and he took a look at the broom in his hands, "What can I say, I was harvesting yam and cocoa plant. Or maybe I was dancing ballet, can't you see me with my tutu, leotard pant and dance partner"

Sewuese laughed nodding her head then she clapped her hand, " Well play, you this oyinbo, you decided to do your own back" "Isn't it a Nigerian thing?" "Now you've etched the thought of you in tutu in my mind"

Sam fumbled with a ballet dance step and she laughed shaking her head, "I was just taking out cobwebs. Mom doesn't like cobwebs, she has always been superstitious about it"

Sewuese laughed, "Mom too! I thought I was a Nigerian thing" "You've not seen taking out cobwebs, you'll think she's waging war against the principalities and powers in high places" "My mom is the worst, for every encounter with a cobweb, she anoints herself and if you tell you woke up to see a cobweb hanging from the bathroom, she'll anoint you and anoint the bathroom"

Sam laughed, "I feel sorry for those poor spiders" "Yeah...." She trailed off reaching out for the broom, "Let me help" "I'll do it" "What will the entire committee say when they find out I did nothing while my man cleaned the room?"

"A woman's not a slave, she's a helpmeet."

"That's what I'm offering, my help. The more I help you the faster we'll be" Sewuese jumped up and down and then she threw her arms around him, "We stopped somewhere last night, I was hoping we'll continue" "Where did we stop?" "Where you were tempted to kiss me in my father's house"

"That's tempting but I'm right now I'm cleaning and I'm dirty" "Well I don't care" Sewuese whispered curling up desires through him. She stood on her toes to kiss him. He claimed her lips instantly, fitting his mouth to hers and taking a long, passionate taste of it. Her lips were soft and warm and sweet just as he remembered.

"Samantha didn't kiss you that way did she?"

"I didn't even give her the chance, the only lips I want to be caught dead with is yours" She softened against him, sighed. He relished and consumed her, with a kiss more aggressive than any he'd given her before then he withdraw watching her face protest.

She didn't want to break the kiss but she knew the question on his mind, "Jamal didn't." She muttered and he pressed her lips apart, hungry for her, desperate for more.

Her head spun from it as she welcomed the exploration of his tongue. It made her weak to the knees. She softened against him and with her arms still around his neck, she sighed and moaned as he devoured her mouth.

When his hands slid down her back, pressing her body firmly against his, Sewuese jumped instinctively and wrapped her legs around his hips, then gasped into his mouth as he began to walk towards the cabinet, his body rubbing against her core with each step.

"I miss you" He confessed. His confession seemed to disappear into her mouth. "I miss you too and three. It's been hell without you here and those four days just wandering what happened and what I did"

He ran his fingers across her hair then he placed her on the cabinet, "I'm sorry. For every tear I made you cry, I am deeply sorry. I can't take it away but I promise to do right by you forever" "I'm scared of these promises"

"Why?"

"The fear of whether you'll be able to keep it. I wasn't even this in love with Jam" "Don't call his name" He begged and she chuckles, "Jamal is our past, I'm your future, you're my present and future."

"I feel like after God, my existence depends on you. I know I'm not supposed to love with my head but you got me loving you with every fibre of me. I feel it's not healthy" "It's not one-side either! I love you so much, some times I feel you've added something in drink, or maybe I've been charmed or maybe there's something On your lips or your kiss but the truth is I don't want It to end cause I love it. This has got to be one of the best feeling I've had in a long life, like the longest time and I don't want to trade it for anything, not for any girl or some tour. I love you Baby"

She placed her palm against his cheek, "I love you too" She replied pressing her lips to his in a delighted kiss. Her throat caught on a whimper of protest as his mouth lifted from hers. "Why did you have to stop" "We need to clean" "The room isn't complaining"

"Well I'm dirty and uncomfortable"

"I don't care" She whimpered seeking his lips again. He laughed seeing it clearly in her eyes. "You weren't supposed to see this place dirty in the first place if you didn't choose to evade work"

"Things we do for love"

He moved his lips close to her then he pecked her nose to avoid her lips and she pouted in disappointment, "Oyinbo avoid me jare" "You're tempting me" He confessed chuckling in mockery. "Just avoid me!" She whispered dusting off cobwebs from his hair.

Ebonyi

Emmanuel sat at the spot, in the same restaurant. He wasn't dressed too seriously, he only a red polo shirt and a black trousers on. He sat down waiting for Aunty Abebi. He has been waiting for an hour, he didn't understand what was delaying her. He has been trying her number all to no avail.

Could she have bailed at the last minute?

He decided to try her number for the last time. It rang this time but there was no reply. His heart sank then he tried it again. It rang but no one answered.

He dropped the phone and drummed on the table while Aunty Abebi approached him clad in a bellow the knee, wine flare gown, seeing the dress he wore. She was glad she didn't overdress. "I guess she bailed then" He muttered and Aunty Abebi sucked in her laughter. "I didnt take you for a quitter"

Emmanuel quickly turned back at her, the sight of her gave his heart a jump start. "Thank God! Your number was switched off earlier on, when it finally rang you didn't pick" "Because i saw you already" She replied standing beside him.

He looked up at her widening his smile, his gaze was intense, "You look beautiful" "Thank you" She hid a smile.

Her cheeks burned from it.

"Thank God I didn't over dress" She muttered and he laughed. "Its a tour, the date is tonight."

Her heart melted. She felt vulnerable, love was lurking in the air. She has always kept her feelings locked away. She has never felt this deluge of emotions before. She looked down at the man seated just inches from where she was standing.

What she felt that moment was more of fear than of attraction. Fear of getting her heart broken.

Aunty Abebi cleared her throat and rubbed her neck, "Where are we going to first?"

10:16 am

Manny nodded to "Abule" while going through messages on Facebook concerning the show. The music finally ended and he fixed in the earpiece instantly going on air. "And we are back! So, still on the show this morning, we are still on the same topic and we have several responses on social media."

"There are lots and lots of it" Geena added, "We might not be taking all of the messages cause we still have to attend to calls so we ask that you kindly bear with us. Pleeeeasse"

Manny continued, "If you're just tuning in, this is 98.7 Realm FM and it's that hour again where we keep it real with Manny and of course my beautiful co host Geena" "Yay!!! He finally remembered me today"

Manny laughed, "I don't understand" "You don't always chip it in, now I know I'm not invisible" "You were never invisible, oya I'm sorry" "Apology accepted." "For those just tuning in, the question here is a controversial one. People are beginning to call me Mr Controversial, these topics are what we need to look into. The question is, does a parent have the right to decide a child's career? Is It something they should do? I have my personal view and stories but I'm interested in what you all have to say."

Geena signaled to Manny to read off comments from her phone, "Ola from Okota says, Omo, na me dey pay the school fees oh, of course yes! If the child wants to choose his career, let him start paying school fees! Bukola Ajayi from Ajah says, Hey Manny, hey Geena, i love your show and i'm glad i tuned in today. Awn, thank you Geena."

"Thank you Geena"

"it's wrong for Parents to choose career that story always end up a tragic one. Have you read blind choice? That story depicts a story of a imposition of Career choice by parents and how badly it ended. It's a no no!" She paused.

Manny nods, "We have a caller" He said answering the call, "Good morning, who am I on to and where are you calling from?" "My name is Moruf, I am calling from Abulegba." "Hey Moruf, it's been a while" "Omo oh... Na shop keep me busy, I dey listen but I don't seem to get the time to call for the line"

Geena smiled ready for grammatical blunders. "Good to hear from you Moruf" She screamed.

"You too! So as I was saying, I like the topic way you do. It's a controversy topic but you know... You know, you know how to give the question as e dey hot, you know. I think this matter, is both ways oh. What am I saying by that? A parent can make a choice also the child too can make his choice"

"Won't that lead to a clash of interest?" Manny asked, "The clash will not cause accident, but accident will happen when the child will now study course that is not make sense. You understand? Its for the parent and child to now sit down, talk and reach agreement. The parents will say, this Is the reason I no want you to study the cause, the child too will say okay this is the reason I like this my course I want to study."

"What if they don't agree?" Geena asked, "Who should have the final say? The parents or the child?"

The man laughed, "It's God that will have the final say. That one is hard question, Mr controversial is always asking controversy question. Well done but, that's all I can say" The phone line went dead and Geena laughed.

"Thank you Mr Moruf for that lovely contribution"

"He does have a point about both parents and the children reaching a consensus but the main problem is when there's no agreement, who should compromise? Should the child compromise to honour his or her parents at the detriment of his passion and Mental health or should the parents bend to the will of the child?"

Mrs Coker chewed on her fingers as she folded her legs on the couch, listening in to the conversation from her phone. It was her first time tuning in to listen to her son's show. Truthfully, she didn't expect it to be interesting. She even took the liberty to search her son on google; it was also her first.

She was shocked to know find out Manny wasn't just a radio host but also a TV host and a Master of Ceremony. She has never been interested in conversations that involved his job as a radio host.

"Ugochi says Hello Manny and Geena, I love your show and you usually have a way of keeping me glued to the radio with your questions and contribution. For me, apart from being providers, parents are not to make choices for their children in terms of career choices but rather stand in as advisors"

Mrs Coker shut her eyes, the topic made her uncomfortable because she knew she was guilty of imposing her choice on Manny. Why did he have to talk about this today of all days.

"The reason why I threw this question is because of my son... To those wondering what I meant by son, his name is Ossy. He's a boy I'm hoping to father by God's grace, he's just seven and he's in a fix because of their career day in school. At that age, he's bent on making his own choice, it got me thinking, if a child as young as he knows what he wants, if a child as old as even 18 years old knows what he wants, why then do parents try to impose their choice on the children. Growing up, I had dreams, I wanted to be a doctor because it was my Dad's job. I grew up watching him most of the time, but then my mom started persuading so I ended up changing plans. I don't regret it anyways but my point is, sometimes parents need to be suggestive in their approach to the career choice of their children. The level of rebellion they get many at times is because of their approach to the issue. There have been cases where children have regretted not following their parents advice but it's not as much as the cases we've heard of adults who have gone as far as committing suicide in the university over depression because they lack passion for their course of study or those that had to resort to joining bad gangs to communicate their rebellion. To me, parent- Children communication matters. If your ward has a passion for software designing or even art, the role of the parents is to pray for the child, encourage, motivate and support him or her in everything not neglect them because of it."

Those words came piercing through her heart. There are no two ways about it, she neglected her son, never showed support, not even once!

Word Foundation Church

Gbadamosi sat in his office writing on the sticky note he wanders to the wall and scanned the calendar then he circled some specific dates in April. After shock he heads back to his desk and picks up another sticky note writing on it. The women president knocked and walked in, "Papa good morning" She greeted the she looked at him like she's asking for permission to.come in, "Good morning Ma, please have your seat" "Thank you Sir" She replied taking her seat.

"Papa how was your night? I hope you sleep, this one your eyes are swollen"

"It's stress, I did try to sleep and you Ma? How's the family"

"Never better. Papa I hope you're ready for us this week. This is our women's week and you know you always give us special treat"

Gbadamosi laughed, "I'm hundred and 10 percent ready. I already got myself wrapper and gele, don't worry, I'll come looking ready" He answered and Presido laughed. "How is our Mama?" "She's fine" "April 22nd, I can't wait" She confessed drumming on the desk. "Eh hen... papa, I got your message. What's the emergency" "The men president isn't here yet, I was hoping to talk to the church elders"

"I hope there's no problem Sir"

"Just wait a while. I promise to let you all know"

She exhaled then she snapped her fingers as though recalling something, "Eh hen Papa, I've been meaning to tell you this since. The church does not know who you're getting married to oh" "I don't understand, everyone knows Kilahi"

"But Papa, if it was another person's wedding, we will call the couples in front of the church so the whole church can be aware. You have not done that one oh"

Gbadamosi laughed in a shy manner, "But you guys already know now" "Me I don't know oh, I speak on behalf of the women's unit and I say we don't know oh. We don't" She answered looking away and then he gave a nod.

"What's the way forward"

"Now you're talking. After the women's meeting on Sunday. You're going to announce it and officially introduce her to the whole Word foundation family."

"Fine. Is that all?"

"Yes Sir. Tell me quickly reach one place, I'll be back Sir"

"I don't want to Start looking for you when the elders come"

"Papa trust me now, I don't disappoint"

"Blessings Presido"

"Amen" She bowed out and Lanre walked in with his laptopby his side. "Good morning Papa" "Good morning Brother Lanre" He replied giving a look and Lanre laughed. He knew exactly what the looks were for.

He had been stalling on delivering a particular design to him, "I know I'm guilty of delaying the flyers for rehab conference" "Did I say anything?" Gbadamosi asked and he laughed even more, "I just wanted to do it with the wedding invite at once. I've done a skeleton design" He said moving the towards the desk then he placed the laptop on it.

He lifted the lid up then waited for the pages to load. "How is work?" Gbadamosi chipped in and Lanre groaned, "One word for it Is busy but who am to complain? Erm..." He trailed off clearing his throat while moving the cursor to a folder then he turned the laptop towards his direction.

"That's the rough graphics I have for Rehab, since we're not sure completely sure about all the gospel artiste we'll be inviting, I'm handicap but what do you think about the colors? Any changes you feel I should make"

"Oga, well done! You didn't use the other picture I sent you" "If I tell you that I remember the folder I saved that thing in, I'll be lying through my teeth. What do you think? Too much orange?"

Lanre laughed and coughed, "Feel free to get water from the fridge" "Thank you Sir" He grabs a cup from a stack on the counter, then he opened the fridge, brought out a bottled water then he filled the cup with water then he drank it.

"I need you and Mama's photo"

"We haven't had our photoshoot yet"

"Okay... That one will still delay my work" He replied heading back to the desk, "Why do I see a ring in your hand?" Gbadamosi asked, "It's in your hand not your finger"

Lanre smiled, "God, I always forget" "Are you planning on proposing to Bimbo?" "Yes. I haven't even gotten the ring yet. I have plans to get the ring today, I'm also here to seek your advice" "Why?" "I don't know, as a leader and a man I look up to. What do you think about it?"

"About what? You proposing or what I think about Bimbo?"

Lanre exhaled, "Yes Sir." "What do you think?" He asked placing emphasis on 'you'. "I love her, I've loved her for long. She can be impulsive but at the same time she's kind hearted, sweet. These days I've been dreaming about getting married and starting a family and there's no other person I want to do that with except Bimbo. I want something that doesn't just make me happy but someone I can have am educative conversation with. I've prayed to God and the only woman that comes to mind is her"

"I guess congratulations are in order then. When are you planning on proposing?"

"After the women's meeting on Saturday."

Gbadamosi laughed, "I hope you won't be interrupting church service in the name of proposal" "No now Papa, it's after the service. I still haven't arrived at a conclusion but... God help me" "Congratulations once again"

"Thank you Papa, we are following your footstep Sir"

Gbadamosi laughed, "Why do I feel mocked?" "No Sir." He replied now pointing to his laptop, "What do you suggest I change Sir?"

Abuja

The sienna Kilahi boarded drove into Jabi motor park. Her phone pinged; it was a call from Mrs Mba. She answered it despite the loud chattering in the bus. Good morning Ma" She said loudly. The driver pulled over and then got out of the sienna.
"Good morning my dear. Where are you" "I'm in a bus park" "What did you say? its loud there, I can barely hear what you're saying and the reception is bad too" "Can you hear me now Ma?"

The driver pushed the door open and she quickly got out taking a deep breath. She had a black cotton and floral print gown on. "Can you hear me now?" She asked placing her left palm against her other ear, as though to block the noise. "Yes, I can try. Where are you?" "At Jabi motor park, I'll soon be on my way to the airport." Kilahi walked to the back of the Sienna along with the other passengers in order to secure her baggage.

"Great! You'll be here in no time then, I'm currently at the airport. I'll like to have a word with you in person if you don't mind. I promise not to take too much of your time." "Okay Ma"

Gym

Ugo once again stepped into the office of the owner. He watched as the man winced in pain. "Tell me you called me here because you've finally agreed to surgery" "I am not agreeing to anyone touching my blokus Hydrocele is not the end of the world"

"But it can be the end of that same blokus you're trying to protect. It will grow into a tumour that can end up being cancerous Is that what you want?"

"Tah! No dey call cancer for this matter"

"Only a small incision on your scrotum will be made"

"Incision na incision, no be still knife don go use cut me?"

"You won't feel it"

"Won't I feel it after the surgery? Make una no dey sell that rubbish give me. You go cut my balls" "Well if you're stuck up on not doing the surgery, why did you call me?"

"From one man to another man, shey I no fit get one drug way fit reduce the pain? The thing don swell pass as e dey, I dey use one yansh sit down so"

"Let me see it"

"See what?"

"It now"

"Make I open my balls make you see"

Ugo dropped a briefcase on the table, "Don't act as if I'm pleased too. So that I don't end up having nightmares, let's get this over with" He opened the kit box then he brought out a rubber glove .

Inside of the gym buzz with energy, filled with the sound of clanking weights, cool music, and the occasional grunt of determination of clients on the various workout machines. Among them was Brenda, who was running o a treadmill, she had an airpod stuck to her ears and her phone shoved into her back pocket.

She was listening to "If I ain't got you" by Alicia Keys.

A guy walked up to her with a wide smile on his face. Brenda thought to ignore him and the horrible smell that emitted from his body but the persistent man kept on waving at her as though she was far away from him. She slowed the treadmill then she took out the earpiece off her ears taking a full glance at him.

He was sweating all over, his grey singlet were soaked in sweat. He had a black and baggy sweatpant on. Apart from the stench, if she wants to judge based on good looks, on a scale of 1-10, he was a 6!

She pressed the sensor on the airpod to pause the song then she faked a smile at him.

"Hello" She muttered the man smiled on hearing her accent, "You're from the UK, wow." "Wait.... You didn't doubt me" "Am I supposed to? I stayed in the UK too, where do you stay?" "London" "I stay in Peckham, whoa. This is a quite a coincidence, I knew coming today wasn't for nothing. I felt it deep down"

What's It with men and lame pick up lines?

"I can already hear God speaking from the heavens, this is my beloved daughter in whom I have prepared for you Jack and that's my name and yours?"

"Brenda"

"Sounds beautiful. Do you stay with a family there or are you a student?" "I'm not a student, I live there! was born and bred in the UK but ever since i found my bearing I've been more of a traveller or a tourist" "Maybe we can both take a tour someday"

Brenda shrugged, "You're practically a stranger" "You know what they say, once you'be gone past the first name basis, you're no longer strangers"

She chuckled genuinely, "That doesn't apply to me taking a tour with someone that might have me abducted" "You never can tell, we might be opening a chapter to another beautiful love story. Are you going back anytime soon?"

"Yes"

"So where exactly do you stay or maybe I could drop by someday, you know" He shrugged, probably give a surprise visit, maybe in the day, maybe in the night. What do you say?" He asked hoping for a postive feed back but Brenda's face squeezed into a frown.

She pressed the sensor on the airpods,the song resumed and she continued treading, "Wasn't I talking to you?" He asked but she ignored him then he tugged at her earlobes in attempt to take out her airpods.

"What the hell? What was that for?" "Wasn't I talking to you?"

"And now we're done talking period!" She screamed attracting the attention of the dwarf who works in the gym. "What's going on here?" He asked looking up at the guy. "No be this babe? Wetin I talk way she come dey shout"

"Wetin I talk?" She scoffed, "So you really can't figure out where you went wrong in the conversation we had"

"Is it because of the small address I asked?" "Small address? You call that a small thing right? You're nothing but a fucking perv and I seriously don't want to know the idea that live up in your fucking mind and me going back to what I was doing is a way of being civil so mister whatever your name is, get the fuck out of my face before I say something i'll end up regretting"

The dwarf lifted his hands up, "Erm Jack, no be your Rose be this, make we just go one side sort this matter out"

"No no no!" He shook his head violently while staring at her, "Who is this one calling a pervert?"

"Is there any other one standing in front of me? Please can you just leave, I've borne the stench enough. Do you know you stink?" She asked then she looked away, determined to ignore him.

"All these spoilt brat sef, can't you see I'm still talking to you" He touched her earlobe again and she widened her eyes, "I swear if you try to take my pods out of my ears again"

"What will you do?"

"Jack how far now? Why you go dey do client like that?"

Brenda tightened her fist angrily, "I said I'm not interested, stop being a sore loser. Just because you didn't get this girl doesn't mean I'm the only girl in this gym. Or maybe I'm the only one that can deal with the stench"

The dwarf busted out laughing then he advised himself to stop when he saw the angry look on Jack's face. He took out her phone from her back pocket. "Let me see how you won't listen to me"

Brenda stopped the thread, got off and slapped the guy on the face, "How dare you touch my ass?"

Ugo got out of the bathroom into the owner's office. His hands were wet from washing his hands. "You need to get ready for surgery latest next week." "I'll think about It" "This is not a thinking matter anymore. If you don't want me storming into this clinic with a stretcher, you had better think fast"

"I hear I hear" He replied hearing a commotion from outside. "What is it again?" He asked finding it difficult to rise up then Ugo rushed out to see the dwarf pushing Jack off from attacking Brenda.

For spilt seconds, he was quite surprise to see her, but he couldn't dwell much on the coincidence, he knew he had to intervene.

"No let go of him let me see him dare to beat me.

Jack pushed the dwarf away, he tightened his fist to punch Brenda when Ugo pushed him back ignoring the stench on his body. "What the hell? That's a woman there" "This one na woman? This devil pikin?" "How dare you? Give me back my phone this instant!" Brenda snapped and Ugo turned towards her.

"Calm down" He muttered and she scoffed remembering his face. "You! What are you... You know what? I'm not interested and don't tell me to calm down, he has my phone"

"What the hell is going on?" The owner inquired, approaching them. "Miss Arolowo, good afternoon. What's going on here?" "Thank you very much!" Brenda answered, "So this punk walked up to md" "Look at this bitch is calling me a punk"

"And you're a fucking douche bag that's what you are" She screamed and rolled her eyes.

"As I was saying before I go rudely interrupted, I was on my own running on the tread when he came up to me with lame lines and I paid attention to him, I listened to every crap he had to say to the point I felt he was reasonable, i honestly felt he was reasonable from the bottom of my heart" She emphasized placing her hands on his chest.

"Na your Mama no reasonable"

"Guy chill!" Ugo yelled, "You no hear wetin she dey talk?"

"If you insult my mother one more time"

"What will you do? See this cockroach oh"

"Sorry, abeg wetin dey smell here?" The owner finally asked with a grimace on his face. He sniffled and Brenda laughed pointing to Jack, "That should be the dustbin standing close to you"

"Fuck you!"

"Fuck you too! Give me back my phone"

"Come collect am now"

Ugo grabbed the phone from Jack then he handed it over to Brenda, "Happy?" "Joyous! He should have just said he's a thief looking out to steal a girl's phone" She whispered to Ugo's hearing. "Wetin you talk?" Jack asked and Ugo silenced her with a look.

"Them no even born you well make you talk am"

"Screw you If you think I'm scared of you! You're nothing but a fucking coward a woman beater! You should have just said you're a thief looking out to steal a girl's phone, that was what I said, what are you gonna do?"

"You dey craze! I fit buy twenty of that phone" "This phone is your travel ticket to the UK"

"Ogun go kill you for that rubbish talk! All these UK born, na so them dem do, spoilt brat! You're a disgrace to your parents" "Don't you dare bring my upbringing into thjz" She snapped moving towards him but Ugo gently pushed her backwards.

"This is between the two of us, leave my parents out!"

"Them no raise up period! I sure say na zoo them raise you. You dey follow man dey argue, with your mumu accent, mumu like you! The same UK way you go, naim I go!"

"I'm sure you went by ship or road and you were probably deported for smelling bad or something"

"All way na way. Look how she be! You know even happy say I even look your side, It's not as if you're even fine. Ugly potatoes"

"You wish your mom was as beautiful as I am!"

"See as she be! Big eyes like opolo"

"And you're a pig! You fucking stink! You should be in a swine! I pity the men at the other end, you're probably suffocating them with your stink!"

"You are mad!"

"And you must be out of your fucking mind to think, I'll fuck an idiot like you! Sorry buzzo! My standards are high! I don't date men that can't afford water to bath!"

"God punish you!"

"Boohoo, I don't like you, get over it or run home and cry to your mommy!"

Ugo gave her a look, "Seriously?" "What?" She whispered, "Shebi you get mind to talk because people dey protect you" "Even though they're not! I can defend myself, do you know who I am? I'll fucking sue you if you lay a finger on me and you'll rot in jail!"

"You no reach, you know who I be?"

"Yes, Jack of all Jackass!"

Ugo held her hands away, "Stop this! " "He's the one at fault not me!"

"Asewo!" Jack yelled and she gasped, "Did that Jackass just call me a prostitute?" "Ignore him!" "He fucking called me a prostitute. Someone better call the damn vet to lock this rabbid dog up!" She screamed.

"Your Papa and Mama naim be rabbid dog!"

Brenda gasped giving Ugo a look, "Did he just call my mother a dog?" "Will you stop being stubborn" "So I'm supposed to what? Fold my hands and watch this idiot insult my family?" "Ignore him, you more you talk the more he answers, ignore him and he'll go quiet when he realizes he's only talking to himself"

They could hear Jack raining insults on her.

"Shh..." He whispered and she sucked her lips shutting her eyes angrily, "Just take a deep breath and ignore him"

She exhaled looking up at him, she could still hear his voice, "He's still insulting me?" "There's this proverb in my place that says you don't argue with a fool, people won't be able to tell the difference between the two of you. Did it take out anything from you? Perhaps your name? What are you called?"

"Men! Is that some lame way to ask for my name?"

Ugo rolled his eyes, "You're way in over your head if you think that's my way of asking that. If I want to know what a girl's name is, I'll ask her personally" "Not like you haven't used a lame pick up line before? Or should I remind you? Remember when you asked me if i remembered you?"

"That wasn't even a line"

"Where in the world was I supposed to have met you? In your dreams? I'm sure that was what you would have said. You look like a girl i saw in my dreams, that's the oldest line in the book"

"Here you are making another crazy assumption. Apparently it looks to me you're the type that loves being given attention, when it's not given, you make a scene to get it" "Fuck you!" She snapped looking up at him.

"You have an anger issue don't you?"

"Wow, i love the attention and i have anger issues, who is assuming. You don't even know what that jerk did!"

"What if it was just like what happened the last time we met, you were having a good conversation before you turned It against me"

"Because you were hitting on me whilst you were waiting for your girlfriend! You know what? Screw you!" She snapped walking over to a chair close to the tread she picked her bag and water bottle muttering complains to herself while getting ready to leave the gym.

Ugo gave the whole situation a quick thought, what if she's the innocent party? He should have probably asked what happened before acting out! He approached her and placed his hands on her shoulder, "Get your hands off me" She snapped.

He lifted his hands in surrender then he folded them. "And you expect me to think you don't have anger issues?"

"Screw you and what you think!"

"First off, i'm sorry for making assumptions on the situation that happened, I shouldn't have said that. I should at least heard you out. What happened? "Why don't you ask him?" "Now I'm asking you?"

"I'm not in the mood" She snapped walking away but he dragged her back to his chest.

"Will you please chill!" He begged and she frowned her chest heaving up and down. She stared at him in silence, but his gaze was too intense almost as though he was trying to read her. She lowered her eyes inhaling the rich cologne that was coming from him.

."Let go of me"

"I'm not letting go of you"

"Let go of me or else" "You're going to make a scene like you just did with that man. You're not making things easy for me. The last time we met you weren't exactly civil, you were there insulting me like I was the reason for your problem"

"I don't have a fucking problem" She replied indignantly. "How do you explain the anger and the foul languages?" Brenda chest continually heaved up and down, her eyes danced as they turned askance to meet his.

"I don't have anger issues"

He towered over her, and his dark hard face bore no hint of humor on them, "Let me guess? Boyfriend drama, ex boyfriend, sugar Daddy or is it Daddy troubles? What really is the color of your problem"

Brenda had to restrain herself from slapping him, she pressed her lips together and forced her gaze back to his, then nodded, "That.... That punk took my phone from my back pocket, he touched my ass without permission and I'm supposed to keep calm. Why am I even explaining this to you."

"I didn't know"

"Fuck off!" She snapped walking away.

Abuja

At Nnamdi Azikwe int'l aiport Kilahi stride along into the terminal dragging a small luggage. She had a yellow cardigan tied across her waist. Mrs Mba's escort approached her bowing his head slightly. "Good morning Ma" "Good morning" She greeted recalling his face from the Marathon. "This way Ma" He said leading the way. He showed Kilahi to Mr Mba was at the ariport Seating. After exchanging peasantries, Mrs Mba requested she sat close to her.

"What brought you here Ma?" "I have an 11:40 flight to Accra. I have a meeting to attend"

"Is there time?"

"Why not? Now tell me Kilah, where do you see yourself in five years?"

Kilahi shrugged, "I'm lost.. Why are you interested Ma?" "Nothing much. What are your goals and aspiration, pray tell" "In five years, I see myself walking in alignment to God's plan. I see myself doing more school evangelism, impacting so many lives, depositing good knowledge. If Jesus tarries, I see myself helping, rebuilding and reshaping the world. I don't how how it will take shape but just like my cousin will say, im not scared to dream, because all things are possible!"

"Your cousin sounds like a lovely person"

"She is. One thing i've learned over time is that, dreams are never unattainable if you're intentional about it. The thin line between dream and reality is counter balanced when you wake up to create those realities. That's through faith and purpose, this is my purpose. We cross the lines when we take that step, someday I'm going to take those steps. In five years, I'm going to stand and thank God for his mercy and how he brought the dreams to shape"

Mrs Mba faced her, she flashed a motherly smile at her. "I'll like to share in your dream if you don't mind" "Why?" Kilahi blinked in surprise. "I don't know, I just can't explain my sudden interest in you, ask around, it's never that way. Those that work with me are mainly referrals but for some reason, you've managed to charm your way into my heart."

Kilahi blushed. She had nothing to say.

"I've got a proposal for you Kilahi and don't think I'm doing this without Aisha's knowledge, your boss is fully aware of this arrangement." "What arrangement Ma?" Kilahi asked curious to know what she was talking about.

"I want you to come work with me here in Abuja"

"Ma?" She feigned deaf.

"Abuja Foundation is greatly in need of your services. I feel the need to..." She trailed off, her eyes were searching for words to use, "Is it a feeling? No! I see potential in you, hidden potential, a raw material that will find it's finishing state in Abuja. The dreams you speak about, you can accomplish them here. The salary is mouth watery too. You don't have to worry about your accommodation, we'll take of care that. We'll be traveling a lot to represent the Foundation, I'm talking inter states and international level. We travel a lot here! You saw the minister of education yesterday right? Election is around the corner, if you pick your sides judiciously, you might just get an appointment even while working with us. Abuja is a place of opportunities, my question, are you going to jump at this one or not? What's your answer?"

"Ma, I .... I don't know what to say?"

"You can take your time. I'm not forcing this on you, it's your choice after all. All I want you to know is that, this is an opportunity of a lifetime, something I'll only give to my own daughter or a relative but for reasons I don't understand, I like your spirit and I see you going far beyond your imagination and dreams. I only want to give you a small push to help you"

"Ma, I have a fiancee in Lagos, I'll be getting married next week"

"Marriage shouldn't stop you from achieving your goals. You have a purpose, you said it yourself! If this is your purpose, any man should be able to support you even though you're in Abuja, Kafachan or Mozambique. From time to time, you'll create time for him. I create time for my family too, I am not a bad wife, neither am I bad mother, I'm not the best too but I try my best. My husband understands me because this job makes me happy. Just like you, I find purpose everyday when I do this job. If he's truly your own, he'll understand."

"I have a purpose too in Lagos too, even though I am not deserving of it, God has seen it fit to make me the woman to run the vision of the ministry with Gbadamosi. I'll soon be the Mama of the church, I can't lay that foundation from the beginning of our marriage, what example will I be setting? What will people say, what will God say?"

"See this as a blessing from God, I don't know about you but my scripture definitely tells me that all things worketh together for good for they that love God and are called according to His purpose. I take it you're a lover of God"

Kilahi shut her eyes and meditated in her heart, the advice she dished to Hilary kept coming through her mind. She didn't need a soothsayer or a prophet to tell her what was going on, it was definitely a season of temptation.

There's no temptation that's common to man. If there's a temptation, there's a grace to overcome it! The offer was tempting, the scripture Mrs Mba quoted opened her eyes to a whole lot. Anyone that couldn't tell times and season might have fallen for that scripture!

Even the devil quoted scriptures to Jesus in each temptation but Jesus overcame too!

Kilahi smiled, "Ma, I feel honored that you even considered me as an option. I do not take this for granted but I'll have to say no to your offer Ma. I know what God said to me, I know the plans he has for me, I don't think Abuja is part of it for now. God brought me to Revive Foundation for a purpose and gave me another family. I found purpose there. It might not be the big deal, I might not have the fat salary or the life you're offering but I am contented with what I have."

Mrs Mba exhaled in disappointment, "I'm sorry for wasting your time Ma" "Oh dear, you didn't. It's fine" She replied rummaging through her purse then she grabbed a brown envelope handing it to her. "Use this as a transport back home"

"No Ma"

"Oh please, have it"

"I'll have to decline"

"I insist." She said with a smile leaving the envelop in her hand. "If you need my help with anything, don't hesitate to call me okay?" "Thank you Ma"

"You're welcome" She signalled to the escorts so they approached them.

Lanre walked into Gbadamosi's office with a worried expression on his face. He had just seen Bella on the waiting queue. He found him typing on the laptop. He was working on the fifth chapter of one of his book, an inspiration popped into his spirit during the counselling session.

"Papa"

"What's up?" Gbadamosi asked taking his eyes off the screen then he quickly observed Lanre, "You look like you've just seen a ghost" "Not a ghost.. Sir, Sister Bella is out there on the queue. Should I talk to her or maybe tell her you won't be attending to her?"

"Why?" He asked then he smiled in realization that Bimbo must have passed some sort warning on him.

"Shoot" Lanre shut his eyes, "This makes Bimbo look untrustworthy. She only told me because she was trying to create a point" "There's no need to" "No Papa... I was on Bella's side so she"

"It's fine. I know Bimbo to be discreet, if she said it to you, it was probably for a cause." "Should I discreetly ask her to leave?" "There's no need for that, I invited her specially" "Oh. I don't have the right to ask you why but Papa, are you sure? Bimbo has been pretty restless about her, she has been thinking of ways to get rid of her"

Gbadamosi gave a reassuring smile, "I'll be fine" He confirmed. Lanre lets out a defeated sigh then he went out. Bella walked in afterwards clad in a black bodycon gown and an orange jacket.

"Good morning Sir" She greeted shutting the door then she approached him with a flirty eye contact that could be confused as innocence.

"Good morning Sister Bella" He replied calmly and she closely observed him. From the dark blue T-shirt, the same perfect hair, he still can't believe how an entirely irrestible man can waste his life on working for God!

It didn't make sense for her! You can be this hot and waste it on celibacy or God!

Unable to resist, she gives him a smile. "Can I sit?" "Sure, why not. My bad" He acknowledged with a cute flick of one eyebrow before glancing back at his laptop screen then he shut it close.

"Please have your seat" He replied reaching out to checks his phone then he looked back at Bella who was already seated taking off the jacket to reveal the spaghetti strap of the gown.

"The AC is on"

"Well... I can still feel heat. That's what we get from having two hot individual in the same room" She answered then she hung the jacket on the leather chair.

Quickly, she returned her gaze back at him, "I was quite surprise to see your call, I won't say I was too surprised. I mean," She paused leaning on to the desk thrusting out her cleavages. "I know I'm irresistible and you're bound to break one way or the other" She then reclined against the chair.

She raised one knee and swayed it back and forth as she bit her lower lips hoping he'll be susceptible to it.

He pulls back, brow furrowed. Very furrowed. "Is that what you thought when I called?"

"Yes"

"I called because I felt the need to counsel you as a spiritual head. You can call it a therapy, all I want is your ears and I want you to listen carefully," "Feel free to call me your patient, you can have my ears, my lips, my body can be yours all you just have to do is ask for it"

"If there's anyone who needs you, it's God. Romans 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

Her gaze drops to the pile of books on the desk in front of her and a small crease appears between her eyes, "Well i don't mind being your sacrifice, feel free to slaughter me or do as you please"

Gbadamosi scoffed, "Jesus already paid the price already. There's no point being a sacrifice to me, rather let your worship be a sacrifice to him" "Him and you. Jesus will understand, there's love in sharing ain't it?"

At this point, he knew he had to stop beating about the bush, "What do you want from me Bella? Why are you bound on bothering me?"

Bella feigned surprise, "Bothering you? Is that what you see this as? No! Forgive me if you think i'm bothering you. Is this about what happened yesterday under the table?" "That was completely unnecessary and what you did when I called"

She laughed and pouted "That wasn't entirely my fault that was on you! I couldn't fight the dirty thoughts off and I tried, I really really tried but each time I think of you, there's something you stir up in me. I couldn't help but touch myself" She answered running her hands on her neck line down to her chest.

"Did it turn you on? Is that it? It's okay to be turned on"

"I wasn't by the way, I'm dead to sin, the life I live is a life of Christ. I found it rather revolting and disturbing. What's your opinion on rape?"

Bella suddenly felt uncomfortable, "Why do you ask?" "I'm interested, what's your opinion on rapists?" "I feel they are criminals who deserve to be locked up, they don't deserve a second chance at life. They should be hanged or jailed for life so someone else can in turn rape them too"

He nods, "And sexual assault?" "What makes I different from rape?" "My point exactly! Touching a person intimately without the person's person's consent is assault. That was what you did yesterday"

"That part was different"

"What makes it different?" He asked, she opened her mouth to speak but then she swallowed her words. She couldn't frame up anything sensible.

"Yeah... I thought so. If I wasn't a Pastor Figure to you, I probably would have had you sued"

Bella scoffed, ready to get on the defensive side, "No way! I'm actually the one going through the violation, you stepped Into my life and you changed everything. Up until we met physically, I was okay hating on you but then you rekindled something I thought was dead."

"What was rekindled cause I vividly remember us not having any relationship of any sort. We weren't even friends." "True but I did feel something when I saw you coming out of the cat that day. That 20 years old me felt something and to think 10 years down the line I still feel that way, it's a miracle I'm willing to explore. You might think its lust"

"And you think it isn't?"

"Okay fine! There's a whole lot of lust attached to it but I do like you."

"Don't mistake lust for love, they are two different things. I completely understand what you're going through. Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, the sweet sweet rush to sin, I've been there, that's why we have rehab Camp coming soon, it's a Conference for those who want to feel refreshed and rekindle their love and passion for God."

"I'm not interested"

"Don't let the devil win over your mind"

"I'm in your office and I want to fuck you on your desk. If that's what it means for the devil to win over my mind. I don't feel sorry for being a loser then"

"You know, I've mentored a lot of people and over the years and I've seen cases. Each year when I think I've seen the worst, something springs up that beats my imagination and reality. Do you have an addiction? Sex, alcohol, pornography?"

"No. It's more of a 'you' addiction. I'm addicted to you Gbadamosi George. How do you plan on getting me out of that addiction?"

"Not me"

Bella pouts, "Let me guess, Jesus? What is he gonna do? Perform a brain surgery on me? That's the only thing I can advise cause I don't know what you've done to me. I can't seem to think straight anymore, I want you Gbadamosi and that's all I want."

"How has your relationship with God being right from time?"

Bella rolled her eyes, "You were not joking when you said you'll be counseling me right?" "See it as a spiritual therapy" "Okay" She shrugged drumming on the desk, "Well, I haven't really had the best relationship. I mean I grew up in a Christian home and just like a million others out there, I lost my way" "And just like those millions of souls that lost their way, you can find your way towards redemption"

"I found my way to you, what other redemption do I seek for?"

Gbadamosi scoffed, "What do you feel, see or think of when the word purpose comes to your mind?" "Purpose, purpose, purpose" She rambled in a song as she gave the question a thought. "First, my career, my job is one thing I care about but lately, I've been having this feeling like maybe, just maybe I've been called for another purpose; to be by your side. Doing you right, filling in the gap wherever your future wife can't. Iron sharpens iron right? You need an iron to sharpen your iron and I know those iron in between your legs are probably rusty, what better iron do you need to sharpen you then?"

"The one purpose we've been called to is to true worship of God and a life of righteousness."

"Can we just drop all these bullshit and be real with each other. Push religion aside, i know you want me." She snapped then she whispered, "Come on! No one has to know!"

She rose up moving towards across his desk. "Stay back" He warned and she stood still with her palm against her chest, "I promise you, no one will know, it will be our dirty little secret. I can swear on my life that no one will know."

Gbadamosi stayed quiet to study her, she seemed really desperate, "Stay back Sister Bella" "What are you scared of?" "Certainly not you. God can save you from yourself" "I don't need saving"

"Why? Because you got raped?"

Bella widened her eyes in surprise. Almost immediately her brow cleared then she blinked. "I never got raped. I see what you're doing, you're using psychology here because of the way I reacted to the rape question. Well, sorry prophet, you're wrong"

"Just because you choose to see it as consensual doesn't mean it was."

Bella laughed nervously, "I wasn't raped" "I really hate doing this. When you walked into the office, I had questions on my mind. God gave me answers as you spoke" "Then God lied, I wasn't raped"

"God is not a man that he should lie"

"I wasn't raped... Get your facts right! You can't use psychology on me. That's what you Pastors do, you use people's brow, eyelids and reactions to fabricate things that doesnt exist"

"What does the number sixteen mean to you?" He asked and she moved a step back, "Nothing" "That was when it started right? He was your cousin" "Shut up! It wasn't rape, I wasn't raped"

"It wasn't consensual from what I'm seeing"

"Then you're blind"

"You wouldn't have intentionally slept with your cousin at that time"

Bella turned her back at him now facing the wall. Then she blinked her tears in. "You can always talk to me, I can help you" "I don't need your fucking help!" She snapped turning towards him while tears ran down her cheeks.

"It wasn't your fault, you were deceived"

Bella scoffed, "Who have you been talking to?" "The only person that knows is you and him. I possibly couldn't have found out from him, I don't even know who he is. Don't pattern your life based on one bad past"

"I don't care about it"

"Have you been happy with the way you lived your life ever since? How many men have you slept with? How many homes have you broken? How many married men have you slept with to accomplish your goals?" "Shut up! That's invasion of my privacy"

"I thought you said I was using psychology and God was lying."

"Okay fine! You've made your point, now stop it!" She dropped back on the seat then she shut her eyes in tears. "There's a place of guilt and remorse" "Remorse is for the weak, I am what I am because of all these things I did"

"Using sex as a tool? That's the devil's mindset, you've lived your life using sex as a machinery to get everything you want. You felt all men were the same until you met me years ago. You would have gotten me as a prey if I already didn't have my mind purged of some stupid ideology and principles that held me bound just like yours is now! Bella, you can't keep living your life for the devil. God needs you, he needs you to be a vessel of honour to him. His own personal influencer. He wants to hold your hands and lead you to a place you can unwind from all the past and give you the rest you deserve"

Bella kept quiet staring at him remorsefully then she busted out laughing while swipping her tears off with the back of her palm. "Nice try, but I'm okay with my life. Most times it's fake but...." She trailed off slamming her palm on her chest.

"But I'm happy with it, it makes me happy. Sex makes me happy, it's not an addiction, it makes me happy, I don't care about who I do it with, as long as there's protection obviously! PS, i don't want to trade that for a boring life that will definitely be filled with regrets. The only thing I can trade it for is you, sex with you only"

Gbadamosi scoffed, "That's the devil speaking" "Can we not blame the devil for everything? This is me talking" She snapped rising up, "I want you not the devil. Stop masking and saying hard to get. I k ow this was a booty call"

"If you think for a second that I called so we could have sex then you're wrong. I'll never compromise my belief"

Bella scoffed, "You know, I was going to do this the easy way but you had to make it so difficult" She slide down the left strap of her dress, "What the hell are you doing?" "What does it look like? Can you not make this any more difficult? All I just have to do is scream rape. Geez, I wonder what those waiting will do"

"I actually saw that coming"

"So all you have to do is be a good boy and obey my command" She replied sitting on the desk and he chuckled, "If I don't play to your terms" "I'll ruin you. You had better agree now or I'm not going to stop trailing you until I bring you down. If you don't agree to my terms, be sure to find something quite interesting on the net and on every blog. All I need to do is make up things about how you lured me to your office and let the power of the media handle the rest for me. I trust the world to blow things out of proportion now, especially when it comes to men of God. I can't imagine the look on your member's face or how they'll feel."

Gbadamosi glanced at his phone then he lifted It off the table. "What's my crime?" "I hate to do this but you cause this, you're making it difficult for me. You should understand that I'm not happy about this eithet, I just have to do it" She tiptoed her fingers over his arm then he heard her voice sound off from the phone.

"What the....?" She trailed off.

Gbadamosi bites back a smile.

"You had our conversation recorded?" She scoffed, "Is that what you do? Isn't this a counselling session?" "You also left me with no choice"

Bella stretched her hands to grab the phone then but he rose up instead. "How dare you? I'll scream" "At least I have a something that will save me hear, it will this recording against whatever deceit you've got in plan"

Bella gasped, "Oh Shit! How long have you been recording?" "Since you walked in," "What happened to church member's confidentiality?" "I'm sorry but I needed a guarantee" "You lied, you lured me here"

"Plan A was to could counsel you but of course, we both know how that ended"

"Delete it"

"No."

"Please... That thing has my secret"

"This is my guarantee"

"Okay fine... I promise not to back off, I'll stay away! Just delete it"

"No. You can feel free to make up whatever you want, all I need is this recording and then I'll let the media be the judge of it all. I'm not going to stop you from coming to church, you're free and welcome whenever you want to. Jesus Christ didn't come for those that are saved, I'm sure God can still save you"

"Fuck you!"

"But right from today, I expect you to maintain distance from me, you are not to call me, if you have anything you feel I should hear, channel it to the church secretary. No more sexual advances from you nor threats"

Bella scoffed, "Fine! You have my word, delete the recording" "Do you take me for a fool?" "I swear on my life, give me a bible to swear on and I will. Just delete that thing, I can't be comfortable with a recording that reveals that I was raped." She stretched her hands to grab the phone but he resisted her.

"Stop it! I won't post it, I'm not that kind of person and you know that! Right from the start you knew! You know I'll never compromise but you still came after me" "There are Pastors that break" "I am not them!"

"Yet you're threatening me"

Gbadamosi shook his eyes, "Have I threatened you Sister Bella? Have I? I'm just being careful, watchful and wise. Just stay away and don't force me into making a decision I might not be proud of."

Bella nods, her eyes heavy with more tears, "Fine! I'll leave so you can gloat over this victory but you know what they say, it's not over yet until the fat lady sings" "Actually, it's not over until God says so. I pray God works on your heart" His eyes smile a split second before his lips made a soft, crooked curve.

She wiped her tears, wore her jacket and rearranged her dress. She puffed out her chest leaving the office.

She rushed into her car then she slammed the door shut. Tears swam fresh into her eyes again. "I curse you Gbadamosi George, I curse and hate you! Damn you to hell" She screamed slamming her palm on her steering.

What do you guys think about the Update?

Did Pastor Gbadamosi do the right thing?

I know team vawulence will say yes!🤣🤣

Team #The violent taketh it by force! Gather on this table.😅

Who's happy to see Bella cry?😂

Is there going to be a Comeback?🤔

Do you think the church elders should know? Give me your response.

The next chapter is a chapter is centered on Love and Date nights😍

Something sweet will be happening

Guess!😎

Now you're done reading... Oya Vote!

Thank you for reading❤💓💓