Chapter twenty two

"What do we have next?"

Nome read out. "This one's pretty direct and also our last one for today. It's sent from a woman named Kay, and it says:
  "I love my boyfriend so much, but I'm also finding myself insanely attracted to a close friend of mine.
What do I do? Who do I pick? Both of them really matter to me"

Yvonne joked. "Ever heard of a threesome?"

Mrs. Dada snorted in disgust, and Ike chuckled softly.

Tanto rolled her eyes.  "We're doing serious business here"

Yvonne scoffed. "I never said we weren't."

I wasn't in any mood, for their fights. "Let's not get distracted. What's our response to this love problem?"

Mrs. Dada shrugged. "Clearly she should pick her boyfriend. The friend's only a distraction. She says that she loves the boyfriend. That's the best choice."

Tanto shook her head. "She can't just ignore the other attraction. Her feelings for him are valid too. What if he's the one?"

Nome raised a point. "I'm only concerned if she has explored her feelings for the friend yet. What if she has kissed him or done something more? Then she definitely doesn't deserve the boyfriend."

Ike added. "I've been in a similar position. I ended up losing both girls, but I moved on. She needs to prepare herself for the possible worst. That's life."

I nodded. "Exactly. Both feelings for both men matter to her. As long as she hasn't cheated on her boyfriend yet, she needs to really dig deep and search within herself, on what she wants. I'd naturally pick the boyfriend, but this isn't a decision for us to make. It's her personal choice, from intense thinking, no matter how long it takes."

Tanto said. "I do believe that if you let your heart open for someone else, while you were in the relationship. Then your heart wasn't really in the relationship in the first place."

"That's quite a way of seeing things."

Yvonne shrugged. "Well it's all about her, so it's up to what she really wants."

Ike added. "And what she doesn't want."

I beamed. "Good work then. Got it all down?"

Yvonne saluted. "Yes ma'am."

I smiled. "Good. Meeting's over now. I'll collate what we have afterwards."

Nome yawned. "Today's own was pretty long. Thank God It's over."

I agreed with her, but didn't say anything, as I made my way back to my little office.

....
Imade asked, while we spoke on the phone. "How was the date? Sorry I didn't ask last night. I slept pretty early."

"It was fine, but he and I are going to remain friends. I didn't feel any spark." I had decided to put myself out there and try dating again. Since I hadn't heard from Tife, since we kissed eleven days ago. He just went completely AWOL, so I gave up trying, and decided to face other available guys.

So I decided to go on a date with a guy, that also owned a business company, like I did, in the building I worked in. His name was Sola. He's attractive and smart, but we lacked any form of connection. He didn't make me laugh, like a certain someone did. He was so serious, that I found myself remotely bored. I didn't find myself wanting to kiss him, like I wanted to, with Tife. It annoyed the crap out of me, that I found myself comparing everything he did, with Tife. Nothing he did, felt in comparison to everything Tife did, and it made me mad at myself for doing so. Both men were different, but I found myself, wanting to spend my time on that exact same date, just with Tife. I can't believe that I'm falling for Tife freaking Johnson. I really had to be in an alternate world.

"Connections are important. I'm glad you're putting it into consideration."

"I always do. Trust me."

"Anyway, on better news, I and Victor are spending time at my parents beach house, and I thought it'd be more fun to have the two closest people in my life there. You and Tife."

The Johnsons owned a lavish beach house, which they occasionally used, during the holidays, and I was surprised that she wanted Victor there. I'm the only person she had ever brought there, and it concerned me how close they were getting. "When do you want to do it?"

"Friday's evening. We can leave on Sunday evening or Monday morning. Depends on what pays either one of us."

" And you're sure Tife's coming?"

"He's the first person I called. He's in. He says he needs the rest. It's so odd that you and Tife are getting along. He actually asked if YOU were coming. I told him that I was sure you were. What's up with that?"

I ducked my head, even though she couldn't see me. "I think I should tell you this, and I'm sorry for leaving it out, all these while. Tife and I kissed."

Imade made an excited shrill. "You two? Give me all the details."

"I'm too embarrassed. Let's meet up in an hour. I'm coming over to your place. I'll tell you all you need to know."

"Let me just know first. Are you in love with him?"

I cried out. "Imade Lara Johnson!"

She laughed. She was unusually enjoying this. "I have to be prepared, in case we turn out to be in-laws."

I rolled my eyes. "We aren't going to. Things between Tife and I aren't serious. Trust me."

"But you want it to be?"

I groaned. I forgot how much of a romantic Imade can be. " See you in an hour."