Governor's Daughter. Episode 4-6

Episode 4
Val’s side of the story continues
‘’I hope you are not in need of anything?’’ Vivian asked as we exchanged glances.
‘’oh not at all. Thanks for your care’’ I breathed politely while she shrugged, leaving her eyes on me. We silently stared at each other for a while without saying anything. I couldn’t think out any topic to discuss with her and she on her own part looked as if she was hoping for me to start a conversation.
‘’tomorrow we will be moving down to the governor’s family house downtown. Clara will be receiving her friends and guests there. You know it’s against protocol for her friends to be coming here as they wish. So that’s why she decided it was better moving down to the other house to have the space andvfreedom she needs’’ Vivian finally informed me after noticing that I wasn’t ready to start up any conversation with her.
‘’very well. I’m ready for anything’’ I replied with a smile.
‘’good night then. We will be leaving by 12noon’’ she added, stood up, smiled at me and left the room while I fell back on my bed and breathed deeply.
——————————-
9am, Sunday morning
I was busy checking out the car we were to make use of that day when a female “civil defense” officer walked up to me.
‘’someone wants to see you. He is waiting at the gate’’ she informed. I couldn’t help but stare at her curiously. It was with great effort that I refrained myself from telling her that she was mistaken because I clearly wasn’t expecting anyone.
Curiously I walked up to the gate to see one of the governor’s aides waiting for me. I was surprised and confused at the same time.
‘’hey my name is Joe, I’m not really sure if you know me?. I’m sorry for disturbing you this early but it’s a matter of urgency’’ the young man breathed as he led me to a quiet corner while I wondered the reason for all that. Of course I knew him well even though we had never spoken to each other prior to that moment.
He was no other person than the governor’s special assistant on youth matters. A young man of about
thirty three years, very friendly and eloquent.
‘’I really need your help brother and I know this may come to you as a surprise but I can’t help it. You see I’m in love with Clara’’ he nervously breathed, shocking
me with his words. I couldn’t even figure out how to react or what to say to him.
‘’I heard you guys are very close and that you will be with her at all times. Please I know this sounds weird but I will like you to be my eyes and ears. I simply want you to represent my interest. I really love this girl and you know what I mean’’ he added nervously.
‘’I understand you bro but what you are asking of me is a bit difficult and confusing. Clara is an adult and I
don’t have much influence over her. Vivian her cousin should be the person to meet’’ I finally said to him.
‘’no you are a man just like me. Just keep it in mind, in due time you will see your role in this’’ he muttered with a smile while I shrugged.
‘’here take this small change. It’s just ten thousand naira. keep it’’ he said, fetching out a wad of currency notes from his pocket. I laughed deep inside. His
gesture looked a bit desperate and stupid. Moreover I was an agent who was perhaps earning much more than him. But he didn’t know about that though.
‘’you shouldn’t bother about that. I will help you as long as your request isn’t a dangerous one. Just keep your money bro’’ I breathed politely, smiled and walked away.
I couldn’t help but wonder how many men were desperate to have the governor’s daughter. She was a hot catch quite alright.
——————————-
Later in the evening @the governor’s family residence.
Time: 9:30pm

Vivian and I sat on a small field at the back of the big mansion enjoying a very rich alcoholic wine together. It really wasn’t my idea to sit down there at the back of the house drinking and catching fun. It was all Vivian’s idea and I kind of obliged her since it was already dark and I had no other work to do that evening.
But the more she drank, the more I noticed the drink taking over her senses. She talked very freely while I behaved like a gentleman.
‘’so tell me, do you have a girlfriend?’’ she finally asked while I drew back a bit.
Yea that was a very sensitive question that always pinched me whenever someone asked me about it. I was well employed and good looking but unfortunately
I wasn’t successful with women. I had to run away from the few female friends I had when I noticed that they were all interested in ripping me off than giving
me the love I needed. I had to resign myself to the fate of being a bachelor with no girlfriend. Perhaps because of the drink, perhaps because I felt free with her, I opened up. I told her I had no girlfriend not because I didn’t want one but because I was yet to find the person who would give me the love. I needed without weighing me down problems and issues.
Vivian silently listened to all I said and when I was done, she said nothing which kind of made me feel that she was asleep or something. I had to lean forward to check out her face only to be held tightly by her as she gave me an unexpected kiss that shocked and left me trembling.
‘’Val’’ she breathed.
‘’noooo’’ I cautiously stammered, softly pushing her away. I was scared of hurting her but I just couldn’t help it.
To be continued

Episode 5
Val’s side of the story continues from the last episode.

‘’’what?’’ Vivian asked as I gently pushed her face away from mine. Somehow I felt a bit confused and embarrassed at the same time. It really was the first time a girl was making the first move on me, but then
she was drunk. She was far from being in control of her mind.
‘’you are drunk. I think it’s time to go to bed’’ I breathed and helped her up.
‘’come on Val, stop treating me like a baby. I’m not drunk’’ she insisted but I refused listening to her, instead I softly dragged her to her room.
There wasn’t any doubt the drink she had was telling on her and so the right thing to do was what I did by taking her to her room to rest. But on my way out of
her room, I ran into Clara who was heading to her own room from the sitting room. She gave me one kind of
suspicious look and smile that left me very nervous and defensive.
‘’hmmmmm I see you guys are hitting it off pretty well?’’ she asked.
‘’nooooo we were just drinking outside and she had way too much drink. I had to help her to her room.
That’s it’’ I answered innocently while she shrugged.
‘’we have a lot to talk during breakfast tomorrow. I guess you won’t shy away from eating with me?’’ she asked with a smile and walked past me before I could
say anything.
———————
I was restless all night long as I wondered what could be going on in Clara’s mind. I equally couldn’t help but wonder what Vivian’s game plan was all about. I was
scared of losing my job for nothing and I knew I had to be extremely cautious when dealing with the two ladies because no matter how matured they looked, they still
had a very fragile mind.
—————————————
8am, the next day
As I headed to the dining room for breakfast, I ran into Vivian who smiled as soon as her eyes fell on me.
‘’I know I embarrassed myself yesterday. I’m so sorry’’ she apologized.
‘’oh it’s nothing’’ I answered politely, feeling relaxed.
‘’so we are cool with each other then?’’ she asked while I nodded. Together we headed to the dining room where Clara was waiting. To be candid I was very
nervous and a bit uncomfortable having dinner with the two ladies but I had my cover to protect and had to act cool.
‘’you know I still find it difficult remembering you or your family?’’ Clara kind of asked as we faced the meal
before us. Vivian quickly came to my rescue.
‘’don’t tell me you are really yet to figure out Val’s identity?. How come you allowed him to come here with us then?’’ she asked Clara who rolled her eyes.
‘’I’m sorry; it’s just that I need help in getting it together. He looks like the son of our family friend way back in Lagos but it’s a long time ago nau. I guess 1993 period or so. I just want to be very sure’’ she
insisted.
‘’but we have already discussed this issue in your room. Come on where are your manners?. Don’t you know you are embarrassing him?’’ Vivian pushed on.
‘’I’m so sorry Val. It’s just that I already forgot most of my childhood memories but concerning the job thing, I promise to talk to my dad about it. He will definitely
get something for you before the week runs out. I promise you that’’ she assured me while I silently smiled. Of course there was nothing there to say.
Vivian on her own part gave me a knowing look filled with unspoken words which I clearly understood. We were surely using Clara’s head without her knowing it.
But it was all for her own good. My only problem and fear was Vivian who could eventually turn back to use all the secrets and lies against me.
‘’aww I have to go get more sauce’’ Vivian suddenly breathed, standing up with a small plate.
‘’I will be back in a jiffy’’ she added and headed to the kitchen while Clara and I exchanged glances.
‘’she’s so much in love with you. Tell me the truth, you guys are dating right?’’ she asked curiously.
‘’no we are not’’ I truthfully answered, but instead of facing her food, she left her eyes on me waiting for me to explain further. And I had to come up with a pretty good defense.
‘’you see in my condition I can’t afford to be in any relationship. I have nothing to offer anyone and I can’t just take advantage of a beautiful and nice girl like
Vivian because of my selfishness or maybe what I stood to gain from her. Secondly i have no special feelings for her. I value her friendship and care but that’s it. I can’t deceive her and pretend to love her
only for us to end up hating each other tomorrow.
She’s way better off without me. She deserves the best guy. My priority now is to make out something for myself’’ I softly explained while she dropped her eyes
as if my words found a place in her heart. It was just as if she was so touched.
Vivian showed up from the kitchen that very moment and stared at us with suspicion. It was just as if she perceived something, she noticed something that made her uncomfortable.
Yes I really had no strong feelings for Vivian but supposing we met in a different circumstance or position, perhaps I would have gladly tried her out but in this situation I couldn’t risk it. What I felt for herbwasn’t just enough to risk my job and career for.
To be continued

Episode 6
Val’s side of the story continues
—-
one week later
11am, Tuesday

I was busy checking out some news sites with my computer when I heard loud shouts coming out from the sitting room. I quickly grabbed my jacket, tucked in
my small pistol and rushed to the sitting room. With great speed I ran into the sitting room as if I was being pursed only to see Clara facing a huge guy who
was holding her by the shoulder.
I kind of felt embarrassed, freezing with shock as they stared at me with surprise.
‘’oh I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I heard noises and I thought you were in danger’’ I nervously explained while the huge guy scoffed. It was very obvious he was very angry but what I didn’t know was if it was my
interruption that made him angry or something else.
‘’like seriously you barged in on us just because you heard noises? Who the hell are you? He fired at me.
‘’calm down Charles what is wrong with you?’’ Clarashouted at him.
‘’oh I see you are now defending what he did?’’ he asked Clara who shook her head in anger.
‘’you know what, you can leave now. I’m tired of talking to you, we will see on Thursday’’ she said to him angrily while he stared at her with disbelief. I simply watched the drama with a little smile on my face. I couldn’t help but wonder who the huge guy was.
Of course he looked very wealthy and saucy. And with the way he was acting I figured he was very close to Clara.
‘’I said you can leave now’’ she shouted at him again before leaving the sitting room for him. The young man scornfully stared at me for some seconds, breathed deeply and walked away without another word. I calmly returned to my room to continue with what I was doing (before the noise that got my attention) and had barely
settled down when Clara walked in .
She hesitantly stood at the door post, smiling faintly as she probably tried to act cool.
‘’I’m sorry for the embarrassment. The guy is just a nut-head but unfortunately he is a very close friend and we have known each other for long. His name is Charles’’ she softly explained while I smiled as I tried
hard to come up with something good to say.
‘’his birthday is on Thursday and I will be heading to Abuja for it. I will leave tomorrow. Do you wish to accompany me?’’ she offered.
‘’yes of course, I will gladly do that’’ I answered quickly.
‘’you will do the driving. I love road trips’’ she added, smiled and left the room while my heart sank as I thought of the long distance and stress. Moreover it was going to be my first time of driving all the way to
the federal capital city.
————————-
Hours later
Vivian walked into my room with her usual charming smile. Yes after that evening she kissed me at the backyard, she became a little more careful with me.
She tried to be as friendly as possible while being cautious. She sat on the bed, crossed her legs and stared at me.
‘’I can’t believe Clara is taking you to Abuja while dropping me. I can’t believe she accepted you into her life so easily. There is more to it you know. A ladybcan’t accept a guy so easily without having intentions,
without having a little romantic feelings for him’’ she muttered, carefully watching my reaction.
‘’so what are you trying to say?’’ I asked.
‘’I think she’s very fond of you’’ she added carefully.
‘’yes and it’s making my job very easy. So far the girl has been nothing but good to me. The only problem I have now is preparing and getting myself ready for the
long drive to Abuja. I have never done that before and I’m a bit nervous’’ I confessed with a frown while she laughed out loud.
‘’but on a serious note, Who the hell is Charles?, do you know him?’’ I asked.
‘’yes he is the first son of Senator Adolphus, the manbwho was very instrumental in helping Clara’s father win
the governorship election. Charles and Clara have been friends for long and I believe the young man considers
himself her boyfriend. I don’t like him though. He is too rude and arrogant’’ she replied quietly.
‘’hmmmm that’s deep’’ I breathed.
‘’yes and that’s the truth’’ she muttered.
‘’I believe we will be back by Saturday’’ I added, changing the topic while she drew closer to me.
‘’do you like Clara, are you interested in her? Tell me please I’m dying to know?’’ she begged desperately,bsurprising me with her question. I swallowed hard as I
returned her gaze.
‘’Vivian, I’m only here to do my job and romance isn’t part of it. This assignment will soon be over before you know it and no one in this house will remember
me again. I have no special romantic feelings for anyone’’ I guardedly answered. She dropped her eyes, saying nothing more.
The last thing I wanted was hurting Vivian with my words but she always had a way of asking the most difficult questions.
———————————–
Early the next day, Clara and I left the house for Abuja. We covered the first few kilometers in silence until I asked her the question that had been bugging me since
the previous day.
‘’are you in love with Charles? I’m sorry for being inquisitive’’ I nervously asked. She smiled and gave me a quick look.
‘’actually we have been friends for so long and it kind of looks as if we are dating even though I’m yet to say yes to him. I like him but he is so unpredictable. He
switches mood faster than a chameleon changes color. This minute he will be happy and jovial, the next minute, he becomes so annoying and rude. It’s just as
if he takes drugs. I can’t be with such a man’’ she confessed while I drove on silently as I pondered over her words.
I wasn’t really supposed to ask her the question but I never knew how I got the courage to ask. Perhaps I cared for her much more than I thought. Maybe what I
was feeling for her deep inside was love.
Yes maybe or maybe not.
To be continued