Episode 7
Val’s side of the story continues from the previous
episode
We got to Abuja later that evening and In no time
made our way to Clara’s family’s residence. A
magnificent mansion located in a plush Maitama
neighborhood. I just couldn’t say a word for some
seconds as I stared at the edifice that stood before
me. Clara smiled and placed her hand on my shoulder.
‘’you like the house?’’ she asked softly.
‘’aww, so beautiful’’ I breathed.
‘’yes dad invested in real estate long before becoming
governor. We have a house keeper and two security
guys here’’ she added.
‘’I pray to have such an investment someday’’ I added
softly.
‘’of course you will, once you are focused. You are still
very young nau’’ she replied as we walked into the
building.
9pm, same evening
Clara took me to a quiet restaurant within the
neighborhood where we had dinner. I equally used the
opportunity to question her about the plans she had
for Charles’s birthday.
‘’so concerning your friend’s birthday, is there anything
I need toI asked softly as soon as we settled
down in the restaurant.
‘’nothing really, you have done your part by
accompanying me to this city. All you have to do
tomorrow is rest while I attend the party. I really don’t
know when the party is ending. He told me it’s an all
night event, so I guess I will be sleeping over’’ she
replied quickly.
‘’the party is holding at his house?’’ I asked.
‘’no in a hotel’’ she answered freely while I thought of
how to attend the party with her without raising any
suspicion.
‘’but is there anything wrong if I go with you?’’ I
chipped in softly. She brought up her eyes to meet my
gaze, keeping quiet for a while as she probably
pondered over my words.
‘’I really don’t want to be selfish. You have tried a lot
by sacrificing your time for me. You can’t continue like
this. It’s just as if I’m using you. You are free to come
with me if you wish to but I’m not forcing you to
accompany me’’ she finally replied, settling my mind
with the answer. Of course my job was to be with her
always and I clearly didn’t know what to do if she
insisted on attending the party alone. Out of relief I
reached out for her right hand which was on the table,
drawing out the deepest stare from her.
‘’I always enjoy being with you’’ I breathed while she
blushed.
‘’ It hurts me that you are still unemployed. You have a
kind heart and wonderful spirit. Someone like you
deserves a better life’’ she slowly said, making me very
uncomfortable with her words. I had to quickly change
the topic.
‘’so why didn’t you take Vivian along?’’ I asked.
‘’she isn’t my servant. She has her own life and I can’t
be dragging her to everywhere I go’’ she answered
freely. I smiled, saying nothing.
The rest of the evening was a bit uneventfully. We soon
returned to the house and headed to our separate
bedrooms.
—————————
By 6:55pm the next evening Clara and I were all
dressed up and ready for the evening outing. By
7:45pm we arrived at a hotel in Wuse 2, which was the
location of the event (Charles birthday party). Of
course I was a bit nervous attending a function I wasn’t
invited and at first insisted on staying behind in the car
which left Clara extremely surprised. It really took her
an effort to convince me to go into the hotel with her
and I kind of prayed not to run into Charles, which was
really impossible because he was the celebrant and i
had this feeling that the evening could end up very
badly for me.
We barley had gotten into the exquisitely decorated
hall when two girls hugged Clara.
‘’finally you are here. Nawa for you oooo, you just left
Charles worried’’ one of the girls said to Clara as they
dragged her towards another corner of the hall while I
stayed back and kept my eyes on her. But unfortunately
for me, I barely had stood there for five minutes when
I felt a hand on my shoulder.
‘’what are you doing here?, you think I won’t recognize
you or what?’’ I heard a familiar voice ask. I turned to
face Charles who looked very angry to see me.
‘’let’s go outside and talk. I need to know what’s going
on between you and my girl’’ he added and nodded
towards the door way. I shrugged and obeyed after
noticing two hefty guys who were standing with him.
The last thing I wanted was causing a scene in front of
everyone and I equally couldn’t help but wonder the
kind of guy Charles really was. He looked very ready to
ruin his own birthday party.
Luckily he followed me outside without his two friends,
making me a bit relaxed. He dragged me to a slightly
dark part of the hotel, where he felt we won’t be
interrupted. I also couldn’t help but notice that he was
nervous.
‘’I know how this happens; it all starts innocently from
friendship. Gradually, you take over my girl, you are
already her companion and close pal right?. Slowly I
become the enemy and the rude insensitive boyfriend.
Then boooooom I lose out like a stupid fool. I’m not
stupid, what I can’t just figure out is how you managed
to get into her life, live in her family house and be
everywhere with her. You guys are virtually everywhere
together. Who are you, because you are not a member
of her family or in any way related to her? I know
everything about Clara’s family but I don’t know you.
Who are you?’’ he asked with a slightly raised tone
while I stared at him, clueless on what exactly to say.
‘’I have heard stories about how close you guys are
since she returned to Nigeria but I don’t want to fight
you. I know what guys like you need is money. Where
were you when she was just an ordinary girl?, where
were you when she was struggling with her studies?.
Where were you when her father was struggling to
become the state governor?. What you need is money,
so tell me, how much do you need to back away?’’ he
asked seriously, drawing close to me as if he had
another thing in mind if I tried giving a negative reply.
I kind of felt he was drunk to be questioning me in
such manner.
‘’I’m not after Clara’s money neither will you influence
me with your money. And please don’t insult me
again’’ I said defiantly, shocking the young man with
my words. He instantly grabbed me by the collar out of
anger but before he could go any further, I heard Clara
scream out his name as she appeared with the two
ladies she went out with a while ago.
I really didn’t know how much they overheard as Clara
angrily slapped him while the two girls tried to hold
her back.
”imagine how you are questioning a guy you barely
know” Clara shouted at him.
To be continued
Val’s side of the story continues from the previous
episode
We got to Abuja later that evening and In no time
made our way to Clara’s family’s residence. A
magnificent mansion located in a plush Maitama
neighborhood. I just couldn’t say a word for some
seconds as I stared at the edifice that stood before
me. Clara smiled and placed her hand on my shoulder.
‘’you like the house?’’ she asked softly.
‘’aww, so beautiful’’ I breathed.
‘’yes dad invested in real estate long before becoming
governor. We have a house keeper and two security
guys here’’ she added.
‘’I pray to have such an investment someday’’ I added
softly.
‘’of course you will, once you are focused. You are still
very young nau’’ she replied as we walked into the
building.
9pm, same evening
Clara took me to a quiet restaurant within the
neighborhood where we had dinner. I equally used the
opportunity to question her about the plans she had
for Charles’s birthday.
‘’so concerning your friend’s birthday, is there anything
I need toI asked softly as soon as we settled
down in the restaurant.
‘’nothing really, you have done your part by
accompanying me to this city. All you have to do
tomorrow is rest while I attend the party. I really don’t
know when the party is ending. He told me it’s an all
night event, so I guess I will be sleeping over’’ she
replied quickly.
‘’the party is holding at his house?’’ I asked.
‘’no in a hotel’’ she answered freely while I thought of
how to attend the party with her without raising any
suspicion.
‘’but is there anything wrong if I go with you?’’ I
chipped in softly. She brought up her eyes to meet my
gaze, keeping quiet for a while as she probably
pondered over my words.
‘’I really don’t want to be selfish. You have tried a lot
by sacrificing your time for me. You can’t continue like
this. It’s just as if I’m using you. You are free to come
with me if you wish to but I’m not forcing you to
accompany me’’ she finally replied, settling my mind
with the answer. Of course my job was to be with her
always and I clearly didn’t know what to do if she
insisted on attending the party alone. Out of relief I
reached out for her right hand which was on the table,
drawing out the deepest stare from her.
‘’I always enjoy being with you’’ I breathed while she
blushed.
‘’ It hurts me that you are still unemployed. You have a
kind heart and wonderful spirit. Someone like you
deserves a better life’’ she slowly said, making me very
uncomfortable with her words. I had to quickly change
the topic.
‘’so why didn’t you take Vivian along?’’ I asked.
‘’she isn’t my servant. She has her own life and I can’t
be dragging her to everywhere I go’’ she answered
freely. I smiled, saying nothing.
The rest of the evening was a bit uneventfully. We soon
returned to the house and headed to our separate
bedrooms.
—————————
By 6:55pm the next evening Clara and I were all
dressed up and ready for the evening outing. By
7:45pm we arrived at a hotel in Wuse 2, which was the
location of the event (Charles birthday party). Of
course I was a bit nervous attending a function I wasn’t
invited and at first insisted on staying behind in the car
which left Clara extremely surprised. It really took her
an effort to convince me to go into the hotel with her
and I kind of prayed not to run into Charles, which was
really impossible because he was the celebrant and i
had this feeling that the evening could end up very
badly for me.
We barley had gotten into the exquisitely decorated
hall when two girls hugged Clara.
‘’finally you are here. Nawa for you oooo, you just left
Charles worried’’ one of the girls said to Clara as they
dragged her towards another corner of the hall while I
stayed back and kept my eyes on her. But unfortunately
for me, I barely had stood there for five minutes when
I felt a hand on my shoulder.
‘’what are you doing here?, you think I won’t recognize
you or what?’’ I heard a familiar voice ask. I turned to
face Charles who looked very angry to see me.
‘’let’s go outside and talk. I need to know what’s going
on between you and my girl’’ he added and nodded
towards the door way. I shrugged and obeyed after
noticing two hefty guys who were standing with him.
The last thing I wanted was causing a scene in front of
everyone and I equally couldn’t help but wonder the
kind of guy Charles really was. He looked very ready to
ruin his own birthday party.
Luckily he followed me outside without his two friends,
making me a bit relaxed. He dragged me to a slightly
dark part of the hotel, where he felt we won’t be
interrupted. I also couldn’t help but notice that he was
nervous.
‘’I know how this happens; it all starts innocently from
friendship. Gradually, you take over my girl, you are
already her companion and close pal right?. Slowly I
become the enemy and the rude insensitive boyfriend.
Then boooooom I lose out like a stupid fool. I’m not
stupid, what I can’t just figure out is how you managed
to get into her life, live in her family house and be
everywhere with her. You guys are virtually everywhere
together. Who are you, because you are not a member
of her family or in any way related to her? I know
everything about Clara’s family but I don’t know you.
Who are you?’’ he asked with a slightly raised tone
while I stared at him, clueless on what exactly to say.
‘’I have heard stories about how close you guys are
since she returned to Nigeria but I don’t want to fight
you. I know what guys like you need is money. Where
were you when she was just an ordinary girl?, where
were you when she was struggling with her studies?.
Where were you when her father was struggling to
become the state governor?. What you need is money,
so tell me, how much do you need to back away?’’ he
asked seriously, drawing close to me as if he had
another thing in mind if I tried giving a negative reply.
I kind of felt he was drunk to be questioning me in
such manner.
‘’I’m not after Clara’s money neither will you influence
me with your money. And please don’t insult me
again’’ I said defiantly, shocking the young man with
my words. He instantly grabbed me by the collar out of
anger but before he could go any further, I heard Clara
scream out his name as she appeared with the two
ladies she went out with a while ago.
I really didn’t know how much they overheard as Clara
angrily slapped him while the two girls tried to hold
her back.
”imagine how you are questioning a guy you barely
know” Clara shouted at him.
To be continued
Episode 8
Val’s side of the story continues
‘’I can’t believe you slapped me because of him?, you
slapped me Clara?’’ Charles screamed with disbelief as
he took a step backwards.
‘’yes that’s for being disrespectful and insensitive. You
had no reason to question Val over anything’’ she
shouted at him.
‘’you don’t respect me Clara. You never cared for my
feelings. You are always right in everything. You don’t
make mistakes. You even came to my own birthday
party with your new boyfriend without any atom of
respect for me. You are so despicable’’ he screamed
back at her while Clara tried hitting him again but was
timely held back by the two ladies with her and of
course they were having a hard time holding her back.
‘’I don’t owe you explanation for anything. You are not
my boyfriend. Just go to hell’’ she screamed furiously.
‘’you see that. I can’t believe you have the mind to say
what you just said. What haven’t I done for you?, Is
there any sacrifice I haven’t made for you?. You are
very heartless, and you even called me insensitive’’
Charles fired back with a softer tone. It was just as if
he was about to cry.
‘’go to hell Charles. Let’s get out of here Val’’ Clara
breathed furiously, broke away from the girls holding
her, and headed towards the hotel car park. Yes I won’t
lie that I wasn’t surprised over the way Clara reacted.
She really took things too far but I wasn’t in any
position to interfere. All I did was just to run after her
as she headed towards the car park.
‘’come on Clara, aren’t you over reacting?, don’t spoil
your mood because of me. I’m very fine. I’m used to
taking insults from people’’ I nervously begged as I
caught up with her but unfortunately her mind was
already made up. It was just as if she got the perfect
excuse to leave the party. Yes that could only be the
perfect explanation for her action.
‘’just take me home Val, or I will have to trek home on
my own’’ she threatened seriously.
‘’oh fine, let’s go’’ I breathed and quickly headed to the
driver’s seat.
——————————————————
As we silently headed home, I couldn’t help but play
back the events of the evening over and over in my
head. Clara surely over reacted and I couldn’t help but
wonder what was going through her head.
She said nothing to me till we got back to the house.
‘’Val you really think I over reacted?’’ she asked as soon
as I killed the car engine. I silently stared at her for
some seconds, saying nothing.
‘’come on Val answer me?’’ she pushed on.
‘’yes but I believe you were only trying to protect me
and I’m very grateful’’ I answered guardedly. She kept
quiet for few seconds.
‘’I don’t know if I will be able to sleep tonight. I feel
bad. I shouldn’t have slapped him. I stepped out of the
line. I feel bad’’ she confessed while I stared at her,
uncertain of what to say.
‘’let’s have few drinks in my room. I think that will
calm me’’ she proposed softy, took a deep breath and
stepped out of the car. I had no choice than to follow
her to the room.
On getting to her bedroom, she asked me to feel
comfortable on her bed as she brought over a bottle of
alcoholic drink. She sat beside me on the bed, smiling
as she tried hard to appear composed. We silently
drank for few minutes.
‘’I have never exchanged hurtful words with Charles
before. I don’t know what gave me the courage and I
ended up over doing it. I know I ruined his birthday
but he deserved what he got. Imagine he’s already
seeing himself as my boyfriend’’ she softly explained.
‘’maybe tomorrow you guys should try talk things over’’
I advised.
‘’no I don’t want to see him again and early tomorrow I
will inform the security guy at the gate not to allow
him into the house. I know he will be here early
tomorrow’’ she added as she handed over the bottle of
alcoholic drink to me, giving the expression that she
was done drinking. I took the drink from her and
nervously smiled as our eyes met. She drew closer to
me, making my heart pound faster as I wondered what
she was up to. Softly she lowered her head on my
shoulder, closed her eyes and breathed deeply.
I sat motionless as I admired her hair and neck. I had
this great urge to caress her but something held me
back. After few minutes of silence between us, I
noticed she was fast asleep. I heaved a sigh of relief,
closed my eyes for some seconds to compose myself
before gently lowering her on the bed.
‘’good night dear’’ I whispered as I covered her with a
blanket, admired her one more time, switched off the
lights and headed back to my room.
——————-
I couldn’t sleep that fateful night. I really was badly
falling for Clara something I knew wasn’t supposed to
be but I couldn’t help it. All night long, I played back
the events of the evening over and over in my head.
———————
8am, I woke up with a jolt as loud knocks coming from
the gate disturbed the quiet morning.
‘’Clara open the gate please. We need to talk. I beg of
you. I’m very sorry for what happened last night. I
know you can hear me. Come out, let’s talk’’ I heard
Charles beg from the gate. I couldn’t help but feel a
little bit of pity for him. Clara’s actions the previous
evening was enough for him to know that she wasn’t in
love with him and as a fellow guy, I knew how it hurts.
Have you ever been rejected and abused before?
To be continued
Val’s side of the story continues
‘’I can’t believe you slapped me because of him?, you
slapped me Clara?’’ Charles screamed with disbelief as
he took a step backwards.
‘’yes that’s for being disrespectful and insensitive. You
had no reason to question Val over anything’’ she
shouted at him.
‘’you don’t respect me Clara. You never cared for my
feelings. You are always right in everything. You don’t
make mistakes. You even came to my own birthday
party with your new boyfriend without any atom of
respect for me. You are so despicable’’ he screamed
back at her while Clara tried hitting him again but was
timely held back by the two ladies with her and of
course they were having a hard time holding her back.
‘’I don’t owe you explanation for anything. You are not
my boyfriend. Just go to hell’’ she screamed furiously.
‘’you see that. I can’t believe you have the mind to say
what you just said. What haven’t I done for you?, Is
there any sacrifice I haven’t made for you?. You are
very heartless, and you even called me insensitive’’
Charles fired back with a softer tone. It was just as if
he was about to cry.
‘’go to hell Charles. Let’s get out of here Val’’ Clara
breathed furiously, broke away from the girls holding
her, and headed towards the hotel car park. Yes I won’t
lie that I wasn’t surprised over the way Clara reacted.
She really took things too far but I wasn’t in any
position to interfere. All I did was just to run after her
as she headed towards the car park.
‘’come on Clara, aren’t you over reacting?, don’t spoil
your mood because of me. I’m very fine. I’m used to
taking insults from people’’ I nervously begged as I
caught up with her but unfortunately her mind was
already made up. It was just as if she got the perfect
excuse to leave the party. Yes that could only be the
perfect explanation for her action.
‘’just take me home Val, or I will have to trek home on
my own’’ she threatened seriously.
‘’oh fine, let’s go’’ I breathed and quickly headed to the
driver’s seat.
——————————————————
As we silently headed home, I couldn’t help but play
back the events of the evening over and over in my
head. Clara surely over reacted and I couldn’t help but
wonder what was going through her head.
She said nothing to me till we got back to the house.
‘’Val you really think I over reacted?’’ she asked as soon
as I killed the car engine. I silently stared at her for
some seconds, saying nothing.
‘’come on Val answer me?’’ she pushed on.
‘’yes but I believe you were only trying to protect me
and I’m very grateful’’ I answered guardedly. She kept
quiet for few seconds.
‘’I don’t know if I will be able to sleep tonight. I feel
bad. I shouldn’t have slapped him. I stepped out of the
line. I feel bad’’ she confessed while I stared at her,
uncertain of what to say.
‘’let’s have few drinks in my room. I think that will
calm me’’ she proposed softy, took a deep breath and
stepped out of the car. I had no choice than to follow
her to the room.
On getting to her bedroom, she asked me to feel
comfortable on her bed as she brought over a bottle of
alcoholic drink. She sat beside me on the bed, smiling
as she tried hard to appear composed. We silently
drank for few minutes.
‘’I have never exchanged hurtful words with Charles
before. I don’t know what gave me the courage and I
ended up over doing it. I know I ruined his birthday
but he deserved what he got. Imagine he’s already
seeing himself as my boyfriend’’ she softly explained.
‘’maybe tomorrow you guys should try talk things over’’
I advised.
‘’no I don’t want to see him again and early tomorrow I
will inform the security guy at the gate not to allow
him into the house. I know he will be here early
tomorrow’’ she added as she handed over the bottle of
alcoholic drink to me, giving the expression that she
was done drinking. I took the drink from her and
nervously smiled as our eyes met. She drew closer to
me, making my heart pound faster as I wondered what
she was up to. Softly she lowered her head on my
shoulder, closed her eyes and breathed deeply.
I sat motionless as I admired her hair and neck. I had
this great urge to caress her but something held me
back. After few minutes of silence between us, I
noticed she was fast asleep. I heaved a sigh of relief,
closed my eyes for some seconds to compose myself
before gently lowering her on the bed.
‘’good night dear’’ I whispered as I covered her with a
blanket, admired her one more time, switched off the
lights and headed back to my room.
——————-
I couldn’t sleep that fateful night. I really was badly
falling for Clara something I knew wasn’t supposed to
be but I couldn’t help it. All night long, I played back
the events of the evening over and over in my head.
———————
8am, I woke up with a jolt as loud knocks coming from
the gate disturbed the quiet morning.
‘’Clara open the gate please. We need to talk. I beg of
you. I’m very sorry for what happened last night. I
know you can hear me. Come out, let’s talk’’ I heard
Charles beg from the gate. I couldn’t help but feel a
little bit of pity for him. Clara’s actions the previous
evening was enough for him to know that she wasn’t in
love with him and as a fellow guy, I knew how it hurts.
Have you ever been rejected and abused before?
To be continued
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