Pls wat does dat lady mean by overstressing Ekwe's wealth...she nevajam rich peeps lk dat before?hian..e be lk say she dey follow me live for ajangbadi..

Anyway,op take it as one of doz midnit mosquitoes...to me oooo,am enjoyn d story wella,thanks abunch.
La write,la read

hysteriabox:


Eh! What am I reading so?


Come..... Angel of Verdun.... Shey Audrey look like mimic for ya eyes?!

Abeg o, no carry this writer sweet spirit take dilute your choleric disposition o!

See yawa o!

Like say this kine talk no go end your career if Pesin take wound you!. ...tchew


Audrey no vex eh. You know say today, anybody wey life don slap fit retaliate by sharing it online thru such mean comments.


#carrygoAudrey

Dude we know her criticism is destructive emotionally and kills motivation but dont you think you should not make it worse with annoying comments such as yours? Haba must you always insult to prove your point? If essyprity replies the insult with her own insult we will have the purpose of this place defeated, please try to keep your comments free of insults, DONT DERAIL THIS THREAD PLSSS

AudreyTimms:

Really? Essyprity, really? I want you to sing my praises at all times? Thanks a lot.

Calm Audrey, Calm... Don't let it get to you.

Jonathan2787:
Dude we know her criticism is destructive emotionally and kills motivation but dont you think you should not make it worse with annoying comments such as yours? Haba must you always insult to prove your point? If essyprity replies the insult with her own insult we will have the purpose of this place defeated, please try to keep your comments free of insults, DONT DERAIL THIS THREAD PLSSS

The Prefect is doing his Job . Good one, Jonathan

Jonathan2787:
Dude we know her criticism is destructive emotionally and kills motivation but dont you think you should not make it worse with annoying comments such as yours? Haba must you always insult to prove your point? If essyprity replies the insult with her own insult we will have the purpose of this place defeated, please try to keep your comments free of insults, DONT DERAIL THIS THREAD PLSSS

Noted! I apologize

hysteriabox:




Noted! I apologize

You're a Real Man.

This case is hereby declared closed.

Audrey ooo... When is the next update coming?

ChidiGodwin01:


The Prefect is doing his Job . Good one, Jonathan

tnx

Oh my gosh Audrey cum here let me hug u, jeez dis stowi is da bomb! Thumbs up 2 u Ma'am

I really wish Audrey can surprise us and drop a lil something for us today. Saturday is just taking too much time to arrive...

@hysteriabox, Angel of Verdun! Lol. Edge of Tomorrow is da bomb. My husband and I watch it almost every night. My favourite part is when the truck hit him when he was running to the Angel of Verdun. Classic! I'm not a mimic o. Yep, she's choleric. By their words we know them. Thanks dear. Thanks also for your maturity.


chii8, the thing tire me o. Lol. She's entitled to her own opinion. Thanks dear.


@Thread prefect Jonathan2787, well done. Thanks for diffusing tension. 


@ChidiGodwin01, I'm calm now. You guys really helped uplift my spirit. Thanks dear.


@Adegokedamisky, *receives the heartwarming hug* Thanks dear. 


@mitchyy, your wish is my command.


@all, I apologize for my outburst that almost derailed the thread. It's that time of the month again when anger levels upsurge at the slightest provocation. I was particularly hurt by her comment because she's an oldie reader of mine and she made the money and time I spent on online courses seem fruitless. I'm over it now. Please this shouldn't make us shy away from criticizing me but please when you're doing it, remember I'm a human being with feelings.  Like Proverbs 15:1 says 'A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.'


Update coming up.


Thanking you.

*Continuation of episode 12*


**********

Gio got to Nkiru's room, knocked softly before opening the door. He was astounded that she was fast asleep on the bed without bothering to turn the key in its lock. He would scold her the following morning. With his wayward and drunk relatives and friends and their raging hormones, it was dangerous for her to have slept without first locking the door.

He sat on the bed beside his girlfriend and noticed lines of dried tears on her face. He felt bad. She'd probably cried herself to sleep because of him, hence her reason for not locking her door. He really was a first class jerk. Especially after what just happened in his room. Deep guilt shook his body.

Gio removed his shoes and laid down beside her with her back to him. He rose a little from the bed to remove her shoes. He drew her back to him. She was dead to the world. Maybe it was as a result of the alcohol he'd spiked her drink with. She'd been so nervous at meeting so many people at the party, he had resorted to using alcohol to calm her down when his words couldn't penetrate the sheath of her nervousness. He lustfully moved his hand all over her body. He was amazed to note that she had a bra on. The dress had been made to accommodate boobs her size without a bra. He was even more amazed when he noticed she had short tights on. The dress didn't require such underwear but his prim and proper girlfriend wouldn't have been comfortable moving around with a dress that allowed her only panties. She couldn't even allow him have a nice imagination of her with only panties underneath her dress. A wolfish and irreverent smile slashed Gio's darkly handsome features. He groaned. He was gradually metamorphosing into a pervert. He had the mind of removing the dress, in order for her to feel more comfortable throughout the night but when he envisioned her scandalous reaction in the morning in his mind's eye, he changed his mind. He cuddled her to himself and held her fiercely. What would he do without her in his life? His mother was gone. Dano was threatening to leave him. Nkiru was the only stable person in his life. He noticed her weave was in disarray on the pillow and his chest. He stretched his hand to take her hair net which was on the head board. He carefully lifted her head from the pillow and covered her hair with it. He kissed her on the cheek and cuddled her again. A silky strand of midnight hair had somehow escaped the strict confines of the hair net and he lazily lifted his hand and ran the softly perfumed length through his fingers and the atmosphere inside the room suddenly came alive, vibrant, pulsing with strange unspoken, unthinkable yearnings. And when the backs of his fingers brushed languorously against her earlobe, scalding him with impossible sensation, Gio gave a silent, inner scream of pure passion. He grinned ruefully at his own lusting thoughts, strong, even teeth gleaming in the semi-darkness before closing his eyes.


**********

The sun was high in the sky when Nkiru zipped her travel bag and dropped it on the rugged floor. She flipped her 16 inches weave from her face and contemplated tying it in a bond or not. Gio liked it flowing around her shoulders. She shook her head. What Gio wanted was no longer her immediate concern. She was sick and tired of his hot and cold nature. She needed a break and she'd tell him just that. Her gaze locked on the single rose flower and white paper containing Gio's scribbles. It had been laying beside her when she woke up and the song 'Good morning, beautiful.' by Steve Holy playing softly from Gio's phone. Nkiru put both hands on her eyes and pressed gently to stop the tears that had gathered there. It was of no use crying over spilt milk. She wasn't going to soften because of a flower, romantic writings and a beautiful song. She removed her hands from her eyes and with mortification noticed she'd ruined the gold colored eye-shadow she'd applied on her eyes. She took tissue paper from her hand bag and wiped her fingers and eyes. Redoing her make up was the farthest thing on her mind. After a moment's hesitation, she picked up the paper for the thirteenth time that morning. It was both in Italian and English. Gio was adamant about her learning Italian so she wouldn't be lost when he took her to visit the beautiful country. Tears came to her eyes again as she read the message directly from Gio's heart. 

Mi hai incantato - You have charmed me
Giorno e notte sogno solo di te - Day and night I dream only of you
Senza da te la vita non ha piu senso - Without you, life has no meaning
Se il sole della mia vita - You're the sunshine of my life
Nei tuoi occhi c'e il cielo - Heaven is in your eyes
Con te voglio invecchaire - I want to grow old with you
Ti amo- I love you

The paper fell slowly on the bed from lifeless hands. Could she really leave Gio? She was crazy about him. She'd put aside her scruples to dress the way he liked and even live with him albeit not alone. She sighed and looked up at the beautifully patterned ceiling for a sign from God.

Loud music from speakers greeted her ears. She walked slowly to the window to push aside the blue and yellow striped curtains. She looked down an avenue girded on both sides by a marching procession of huge trees, their graceful, pendent foliage shimmering as the light breeze played with the leaves. She craned her neck to see if she could see anyone. The music had been on all morning, playing the latest jams from Fimile babe by Kas Vid to Implication by Tuface Idibia and now they were at her favorite, Oleku by Ice Prince. She could hear splashes from the pool and boys and girls singing along. The pool was far from view from the girls wing so she could only see a little. She wondered why the senator allowed his relatives to continue partying so early in the morning. Glancing at her wristwatch, she shook her head at their highhandedness. No one was talking about going to church. She didn't really know her way around Abuja else she would have looked for a catholic church around to attend before her journey. Hassana had taken her to one and even attended the mass with her the last time she'd visited. It had been a hilarious affair. She sighed. She really missed her crazy friend.

The young lady went back to the bed and lifted her hand bag. She was about picking her travel bag when her boyfriend came into the room after a quick knock on the door. Time froze as hazel eyes held black ones. As if on cue, Gio's relatives changed the music to Usher's Let it Burn. Voices rang out in complaint.

Gio's eyes were the first to disengage from the high tension stare to roam all over her body. She might not have a beautiful face but God comforted her adequately with a great body. The blue jean trousers she had on clung to her like a second skin and the way her blouse clung to her b.reasts was doing things to his brain. There was something very sexy about a girl on blue jean trousers and high-heeled shoes. Lust poured forth from every pore in his body. He looked above her head at the windows to put himself in check.

Think of something nasty, he told himself. Just then the image of his father kissing his aunt came to his mind. His lips thinned and his face hardened.

Nkiru, tired of the sparring match with eyes, carried her small travel bag and moved to the door. She stopped before him.

"Good morning. I'm leaving," she bluntly told him and noticed his eyes narrowed a fraction. He nodded but made no move to get out of her way.

"OK." He removed his wallet from his black jean trousers and brought out a wad of naira notes from it. He stretched forth his hand to give her the money but she hissed and tried to get past him but he stopped her.

"Please take the dam.n money." His teeth was clenched. Nkiru brushed his hand aside when he stretched forth his hand again.

"Don't insult me. I don't need your money." 

He spread his arms wide and the money flew out of his hand and landed everywhere on the floor but he didn't care as blazing eyes glared at his girlfriend.

"I can't do anything right with you, can I?" he breathed with a ragged edge to his deep voice, his voice thicker than she had ever heard it. "What the hell do you want from me then? What?"

Nkiru opened her mouth to shout back that she needed him to be stable but it was her tear dam that opened instead.

Gio settled brilliant, dark, deep-set eyes on her. 'Make your mind up.

She hung her head and the tears dropped on her white cotton blouse.

Gio dropped his hands in defeat. He made to hold her but she pushed him away.

"Don't touch me. I'm leaving. I'm never coming back," she yelled as her hazel eyes glowed like a burning furnace. Gio's eyes became darker. He nodded slowly. He took a step back, groped for the door handle and opened it. Nkiru stared at him in surprise. He wasn't going to even make an attempt in getting her to stay? More tears rushed down her eyes. She dropped her travel bag to wipe the tears away with her hands. She picked it again and went through the door. At the landing, she heard Gio's voice.

"I have just one question to ask."

Nkiru paused.

"Do you...I mean, do you really love me?" Gio ground out and her head spun back to him.

Astonishment was clearly written on Nkiru's face. His striking bone-structure tightened, hooded dark eyes resting on her without any perceptible emotion at all. "How can you ask such a question?" she finally asked.

"I ask because I know if you truly loved someone, you'd want to stay with the person through thick and thin, especially at the person's darkest hour," Gio slashed down at her from his imposing height, panther's eyes raking her enraged face.

Nkiru faced him fully. "What's that supposed to mean?"

With one lean hand, he made a slashing movement of frustration. "You always leave me at my darkest hour; when I need you most." His silently spoken words hit her like a moving train. Her stomach gave a lurch and her heart missed a beat. He slowly traced his steps to her and held her face in his big right hand. He began speaking Italian. She'd noticed that he spoke the language when he was very emotional. She could only pick out a few words. 

Slowly Gio lifted her bowed head and scanned her shuttered face. He ran caressing fingers down the taut line of her cheekbone, laced them gently into her hair and turned her strained gaze up to his.

"Amore mio, ti voglio bene. Sei tutto per me." My love, I love you. You're everything to me.

"Please, don't go. I'm sorry about last night. I thought I would be happier living without a serious relationship in my life. You rewrote everything I thought I knew about myself. I need you. I need you in my life, my home, involved in every aspect of my day.’

His girlfriend dropped the bag and wrapped her hands around him in a tight embrace. She couldn't push a word past her emotion-thickened throat. He led her back to the room after carrying her travel bag and held her again. They were locked in that passionate embrace for while.

"Luna, amore mio, I have a confession to make." He moved her head from his chest to stare into her lovely eyes. Her eyes asked the question.

"I...I..." He looked away. Her hand touched his chin and brought his eyes back to hers. 

"What is it?" 

"A short while after you left my room last night..." He paused and gazed into her trusting eyes. He had to tell her. The guilt of what he'd done to them had been plaguing him all morning. If she wanted to leave after he told her, he'd take it as fate.

"Jessica came to my room."

Nkiru stepped back from his hands. Accusation was slowly creeping into her eyes.

"Nothing happened, I swear." He raised both palms. "She took off her bikini top and jumped on me. I admit I was turned on but I didn't do anything to her, I swear. Fi came in and saw everything. I threw Jessica out after my sister left. I swear nothing happened. It was just a moment of weakness. Blame it on the sexual feelings I've been having towards you lately." Her eyes widened at that and he castigated himself for telling her such. "I'm not blaming you, Luna. I just wanted you to know before either she or Fi tell you lies. Please believe me." He stared at the painting on the wall because he couldn't bear to look at the accusation and disgust he felt would be in her eyes. She stood there for a long moment and walked to the door. His head dropped in agony. She was leaving. He was a fool to have told her. His head snapped up when he heard the door shut. His gaze went to the door as she turned to face him after closing it. She undid a button from her blouse as she strolled towards him. By the time she got to him, all five buttons were undone and he could clearly see her beautiful b.reasts clad in a black bra. He gaped. Then he closed his eyes.

Nkiru stood there in self-consciousness when Gio made no move to touch her but closed his eyes tightly. Had he been lying when he said he found her sexually attractive? Why wasn't he making a move? She'd decided to give in to him to seal their relationship. Her mother would be disappointed but Gio meant the world to her and she really wanted to grow old with him. He had all but proposed in his scribbings to her. It seemed she'd been wrong. With shaky hands, she began buttoning up. She was on the third button when Gio's warm hands stopped hers. She looked up to eyes that held both passion and lust.

"There's nothing that would please me more than taking you to bed right now but I love you too much to do that to you. You're very sexy and desirable but I don't want something you'd regret later 'cause you're not really ready. I appreciate the fact that you want to give yourself to me to seal our relationship and satisfy me in order for me not to stray but I don't want that for us. I want our first time to be somewhere else, not in my father's house. My house, your house, our house, our bed, our matrimonial bed." Tears smarted in his girlfriend's eyes as the meaning of his words sank into her brain. 

"I love you." She put her arms around him and held him hard. He kissed the top of her head and smiled. 

They were like that for a long moment before Gio led them to the bed to cuddle. They laid against the headboard on the bed in each other's arms and mumrmed words of sweet nothings to each other, with the sheet covering them when a sharp knock sounded on the door. Before Gio could rise to answer it, his father on a cream jalabia and palm slippets came into the room. He took the scene before him with cold eyes.

"Giovanni, I need to see you in my room this minute." His face was a mask of icicles. It was little wonder who Gio got that character from.

Gio regarded his father coolly. "Sorry, but I'm busy at the moment." Nkiru gasped her shock at his coldly formed words.

Senator Ekwe clenched his fist. He wanted desperately to punch his son in the stomach at his audacity. He glanced at the young lady who had had the sense to leave the bed. She looked undecided about what to do. Senator Ekwe needed to tell his son a few home truths and there was only one language he would use to do that since he believed his son's girlfriend understood both Igbo and English languages. He hoped Gio had not taught her Italian yet.

A split second later, a wall-shaking argument was taking place over her averted head. Father and son set into each other with a ferocity which would have transcended any language barrier. Nkiru had always thought Italian to be a passionate language from the movies she watched and romance novels she read but when Gio and his father yelled at each other in rapid fire Italian, she didn't know what to call it. Gio was on his feet now gesticulating with his hands while his father was doing the same. They were so alike, it was uncanny.

Gio paced the room in anger after his father left. He intermittently rubbed his hand on his head as he tried to control his emotions. Nkiru waited for him to calm down before going over to him. She held his hand.

"What happened?" she softly asked and held his hand tightly when he wanted to move away. He sighed. Then he hissed.

"I'm sorry you had to witness that, Luna. I've not lost my temper like that in awhile. Imagine him talking to me about decorum. What a laugh!" He laughed without mirth and made to move away again but she held on to him. She knew she had to tread softly since he was obviously still angry.

"You really shouldn't have spoken to him that way, sweetie. He's still your father. He who refuses to obey cannot command." Gio glared down at her in disbelief. He wasn't in the mood for her proverbs. She was really an old head on young shoulders.

"Luna, please don't preach to me right now." He finally broke free and went to the window to look down without seeing anything. His girlfriend put her hands on his shoulders.

"I'm not preaching, sweetie. I'm only telling you the truth."

"Don't give me that." He turned around and her hands dropped. "I really don't want to fight with you, Luna. So please let it go. He's family. I'll handle my family alone." Nkiru took a step back as if he slapped her. He realised what he said then and tried to hold her hand but she took another step back.

"Have you realised that you're too emotional for a guy? What's wrong with you? Why do you take everything to heart?" She folded her hands across her chest. "Why can't you handle things without bringing your emotions into it? You don't know how unstable it makes you look all the time."

"Unstable or crazy?"

"I didn't mean..."

"You didn't have to spell it out."

Nkiru was the one now trying to hold him but he put a hand up.

"I know I'm unstable; unbalanced but haven't you realised yet that you're my balance? My stability?" His passionately spoken words pierced her heart. All she could do was stare at him.

He smiled a little. "My father is to blame for my instability." Nkiru tipped her head to one side and her face burrowed in a frown.

"You do know I see and talk to Dano, don't you?" She nodded slowly. "I had to conjure him up for a reason. What father wouldn't allow his own son see his twin brother's corpse?" His eyes blazed as tears came into them. "I pleaded with him like my life depended on it which it really did but he remained adamant about it. All I wanted was to see Dano to say goodbye. He was my twin for Christ's sakes!" His face tightened and his fists clenched. "I needed to see my brother one last time, so my deep called out to his deep and he came to me. By then I was already in so much depression at losing my mother and brother, I was in oblivion. I thought the world with Dano was the real world but I didn't know that made me look crazy to the outside world. Dano kept telling me to go back but I didn't listen 'cause I wanted to be with him forever. By the time he convinced me to go back, I'd already lost almost a year of my life. I tried making the foreign doctors see I was okay, as in back to normal, but they all thought I was still crazy. It took the old man to get me out but I still blame him today for everything; my mother's death and my instability. If only he'd allowed me see Dano one last time, I believe I wouldn't have called out to him."

His girlfriend was robbed of words when he finished his sorrowful tale by the window. This was the first time he'd truly bared his heart and the past to her. It really helped her understand him more. She held his face with both hands and tiptoed to kiss him softly. He clung to her.

"Sweetie, I really don't think you actually see Dano's ghost. Don't get me wrong, I believe in ghosts but you actually seeing and communicating with a ghost for about five years now is what I can't seem to wrap around my head. I think you have multiple-personality disorder. You are actually the Dano you see not your late twin's ghost. You've been talking to yourself and replying yourself ever since his death. Dano is wherever he is right now. The person you see and talk and help you with mathematics is still you not a ghost," his girlfriend carefully explained.

Gio grinned. "Are you sure you're not related to Dr. Chambers? You sounded so much like him just now." His girlfriend chuckled. "So the bottom line is that I became wacko when my twin died. Is that it?"

Nkiru put her arms around him. Nope, you're not insane. You just need love and I'm here to give you that, forever." Gio's countenance brightened. "See, everything happens for a reason. God knows why He allowed all that happen," she gently told him but he removed her hands from his face.

"God? Don't make me laugh! Please let's not revert to talking about that self-centered creator." He moved away from his stunned girlfriend and sat on the bed. Nkiru slowly moved her body to face him.

"There's a question I've been meaning to ask you but for fear of your reply." He stared at her. "Please don't tell me you're an atheist. I've noticed you don't say anything when I talk about Him. You don't even go to church!"

Gio laughed. "I'm not an atheist. I believe His sorry a** exists but I believe He exist for only a selected few. Those He hears whenever they call."

"Oh, Gio! God isn't like that. And please quit blaspheming His holy name." Gio snorted. She went to sit beside him.

"I always wonder why you still consider Him as God, after all, it isn't like you and your family are living well," Gio mockingly pointed out.

"That's because I don't worship God because I want something from Him. I worship Him because I love Him and He loves me."

Disgust marked his facial features. "He loves you indeed! Yet He took everything from your parents and left your family worse than Job in the so-called bible. Yet you claim He loves you. Such love!"

She shook her head. "You've got it all wrong. My parents were going astray. They weren't following Him anymore but money and themselves."

"Sounds like a selfish God to me."

"No! It was His love and mercy for us that made Him do such. He wanted us to come back to Him. He knew money and self was becoming an obstacle. He didn't want us to fall by the way side."

"Why didn't He just tell you guys to come back to Him?"

"He tried but we didn't listen. I remember our parish priest coming to our house to ask us why we stopped attending catechisms and my parents never had time to attend mass or church functions. My dad was always out of the country. My mum overlooked his business affairs when he wasn't around and her supermarket also. There were times when she didn't go to church because of one consignment or the other on Sundays and we the kids with no parental guidance always stayed back to watch movies. We were all going in the wrong direction. He took everything to bring us back and we came back. Since then, we've all learnt our lessons and put Him first in everything. That was why we were created. All things were made for His pleasure. We weren't created to please ourselves in this world. My catechism book tells me we are here on earth to know Him, love Him, serve Him and to be happy with him in the world to come."

Gio laughed. "You should have read law." She laughed. "He's still a partial God to me. I practically slept in the church just to get him to heal my mother. When I heard about Dano's accident, I ran to the church to pray for your God to save his life but did He listen? No. He took both of them. I lost my faith in Him when our neighbours who'd practically never stepped a church in their sorry existence had things going well for them. They didn't care about Him yet they only had good news to share. What did my mother and Dano ever do to Him? They were steadfast in serving Him, even more than I. Why did He have to take them and leave all these sinning b.astards!" His voice was laced with anger. 

Nkiru held his hand. "His ways are not our ways. You have to believe He knows what He's doing. He gives sinners more than a million chances to come back to Him. I don't know why He took your mother and brother but I trust in Him because He's omnipresent, omniscience and omnipotent."

"Let's change the topic, please. I'm tired of this deep spiritual talk. I'll start believing in Him again when He answers my questions." His girlfriend opened her mouth to say something but he placed a finger on her lips and kissed her to shut her up.

Gio spoilt her silly the days she spent with him before going home. He took her out to nice places like Cubana, Transcorp Hilton, Basement, Eden V.I.P. Millennium park to name a few. She had the fun of her life and wished the days with her boo wouldn't come to an end. But that was just wishful thinking. She had to go home at some point especially when her mother kept calling.

Before Nkiru left the following day, she paid a visit to Jessica. Furious anger welled up in her and festered into a rage like nothing she had ever known.

The brazen beauty was putting finishing touches to her packing when Nkiru marched into the room. As Jessica turned around to ask her what she wanted, she gave her a hard slap across her face. Jessica fell against her box and rolled to the ground. She held her sore cheek and glared at her rival with furious eyes. Shock made her immobile. Nkiru's slaps usually came with shock. She was so meek-looking, one never thought she had it in her to give resounding slaps.

Nkiru decided to shoot from the hip. "Gio told me what you did at the night of the party, you shameless slut! I've been watching you. I've noticed the shameless way you parade your slutty self around him both in school and here. I've come to warn you to leave him alone. He's my boyfriend, so deal with it!" she hissed and headed for the door.

"You dare to hit me with your filthy hand, Nkiru! You've dug your grave. If the cockroach wants to rule over the chicken, then it must hire the fox as a body-guard. I will personally see to it that you never marry Gio. Bet me." She brought her pinkie finger out with a reddened face. Nkiru went back and made a show of trying to place her own pinkie finger across Jessica's but gave her another hard slap. Jessica screamed.

"Now I know who has been trying to get us apart. Gio and I are destined to be together. Live with it!"

"Destiny? Ha! Where was your destiny when your so-called boyfriend effed me thoroughly that night? He's quite a stud in bed. I have hickeys to show for it," Jessica jeered. "Continue living in cloud cuckoo land. I'll break up your relationship if it's the last thing i do!" Jessica threatened but Nkiru wasnt moved.

"I've warned you." She walked majestically to the door. Jessica allowed her leave before cussing her out. The dire was cast. This bitch just made her all the more determined for Gio to be hers. Indeed, when the cock is drunk, he forgets about the hawk. Her mother was right after all, Nkiru had to be removed from the picture. For good!

Chapter Eight

Letting go may sound so simple, but rarely is it a one-time thing. Just keep letting go, until one day it’s gone for good.
—Eleanor Brownn


Episode 13


Nkiru had to solicit the help of her father in order for her suitors to stop coming. Her mother whom she'd thought would be furious at her antics hadn't said a word. She later discovered that Nkechi had confided in her mother that she had a boyfriend who had already as good as proposed to her. Her mother had pestered her to tell him who he was but she'd been adamant in keeping things to herself knowing her mother wouldn't approve of her relationship with the son of a senator. She didn't even wear the stuff Gio got her at home for her mother not to be suspicious. 

She'd tried her best to mend the bond torn by pride between father and son but Gio continued to tell her to stay out of it and with time they'd would sort themselves out. He wasn't talking to his aunt also. 

Her joy knew no bounds when her name came out on the NYSC list for graduates who would go for their youth service scheme by November. She was shocked to discover that she and Gio had been posted to Ondo Sate. She knew he had a hand in it when she remembered she'd told him she would love to serve in the west since she'd never been there apart from Lagos where she had lived and did her Industrial Training. She'd wanted the north so she could be close to Hassana but for the recent security challenges that way. Hassana was posted to Abuja much to her annoyance. She'd wanted the west too so she could be with Nkiru. Gio's father had wanted Abuja for him but Gio had been adamant in telling him to tell the NYSC official Ondo state for himself and Nkiru. His father had wanted to put his foot down but for his aunt who felt it was a small opening to get through to his son. Gio usually didn't toe the line of using his father's influnence in getting things but in this instance, he wanted to be sure he and Nkiru were posted to the same state.

Gio and Nkiru made plans and went to the orientation camp in Ikare Akoko, Ondo state, together. Camp was so much fun with Gio by her side. She and Gio didn't find the exercises tedious unlike some students from their school and other private schools. She watched with amusement as girls fell over themselves because of Gio. He never took notice of them. He tried to hide the fact of who he was but students from his school and other private universities who loved to brag about their parents, bragged with his status as well. He got frustrated at the preferential treatment he and Nkiru got. He was however pleased when it got him off being nominated as Mr. Macho in his platoon. They couldn't however dodge being awarded best couple as they were always seen together and did practically everything together till it was time to retire to their respective hostels. They were every photographer's delight. Surprisingly, Nkiru was very photogenic; love made her glow. With Gio always by her side, the pictures always turned out beautiful. Some corp members even stole some of their pictures on the stand before they could claim them. Everyone wanted to snap with them but Gio made sure Nkiru was by his side before he snapped with anyone and also made sure the girls were never beside him. He didn't want any girl claiming him as her boyfriend. Of course there were some who couldn't believe a handsome guy like Gio had chosen Nkiru to be his girlfriend. Envy made them pick on Nkiru in their hostel and bathroom but when they realized Nkiru wasn't shy in dishing out a hot slap or two, they stayed away from her.

At the end of the wonderful three weeks in camp, Gio didn't care where they were posted to as far as they were together. He was displeased when he was posted to the state's house of assembly with Nkiru. They reported there but he went to the NYSC secretariat to ask for a change in his place of primary assignment along with his girlfriend. The officials were amazed. His mates had even redeployed back to Abuja and states of their choice but here he was asking for a teaching job. They wished all the 'Big Men' children were like him. Gio was h.ell bent on having something to say he did when he was through with service. He was determined to be different. He and Nkiru were posted to St. Thomas Acquinas College.They decided to take extra moral lessons for the students free of charge when they got back. He rented a two bedroom flat for them at Oba Afunbiowo Housing Estate close to Oke-Aro and they went home for a few days to get their stuff.

Nkechi came back with Nkiru when she returned to Akure with her stuff and couldn't help loving Gio; that was after she'd been able to control herself from staring at him every five minutes. He was so gorgeous! She understood why her elder sister was nuts about him. He had a good heart too even though he was still very much a snob. She noticed he never spoke to any of Nkiru's female corp member friends whenever they came visiting but he was friendly to her. Nkechi was also shocked that Nkiru, her holier than thou sister felt no qualms in living with a guy who wasn't married to her. Love really changed people. 

Gio and Nkiru found it hard going home for Christmas when the time came even though their mates who went home decided not to resume till the following year. They didn't want to leave each other but they knew they had to. Gio missed Fi and Gaetano. He'd invited Fi over so they could go home together from there but she'd refused. She'd withdrawn deeper into her shell after that scene in his room. Nothing he'd done had gotten to her. He however was determined to try again when he got home. Gio drive them in his graduation car from his father, a charcoal black 2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class to Abuja. Nkiru spent a night with him and Tano before taking the flight Gio had booked for her to Owerri the following day.

**********

"Guy, abeg take am easy," Ose consoled his friend who was seated on the tiled floor in only dark blue boxers with his legs outstretched and his head on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Kenneth who was seated on the white plastic chair beside the white plastic table in Felix's room stared at his friend with pity. He couldn't believe he was in his friend's room. A room which was always neat and clean was now the envy of a pig's sty. Clothes were strewn all over the place. The bed unmade, books scattered everywhere and cans and cans of Star larger littered the room. A bottle of Baileys lay half-spilled on the floor. The room was in a mess.

The owner of the room tried his best to stop the image from coming to his consciousness but couldn't. He prayed and prayed for amnesia but it wasn't forth coming. What was he going to do to stop the images? What? Even alcohol hadn't been able to stop them. The images that made him feel as if his intestines were being twisted. What had he done to deserve this? Oh, love was a curse to man not a blessing. If he ever came in contact with Cupid, he'd beat the bejesus out of him, break his bow and arrow and burn them. He cursed the day he set eyes on Ivie. He cursed that Sunday to d.amnation. He couldn't believe a girl was doing this to him. How could he have foolishly given his heart to a girl? How? He who had prided himself in loving 'em and leaving 'em had lost his heart to a girl and the girl had played him, played him like a string. Was this karma? Was this the b*tch, nemesis? But he'd never spoken a word of love to another girl. All the girls he'd bedded knew the scores. They knew he only wanted them to satisfy his urges and nothing more. So why had love dealt him this deadly blow?

Oh, how foolish he'd been. So foolish that he'd actually gone to Benin to purchase an engagement ring for her. Since he was about entering his final semester in school, he felt it was time to seal their relationship for good. He'd wanted the whole world to know she was his by the time he went for youth service, oh, how foolish of him! So foolish of him to have wasted his savings on a gold engagement ring. His plan had gone down in flames. He'd planned proposing to her on Christmas day which was just a week away.

He'd been foolish to have put all his eggs in one basket and not played with a full deck. She'd successfully put wool over his eyes. Two days ago, he'd overhead his friends talking about Ivie's relationship with Ehis, Obehi's brother. Ose had wondered how they were going to tell him, not knowing he was at the door to his house hearing every word. Kenneth had sat on the fence concerning the topic, not believing that Ivie was cheating on him, at the same time wondering if it was true. Ose had insisted that there was something going on between them because he'd seen Ivie inside Ehis's car a number of times and had seen him coming out of Ivie's house late in the evening when her grandfather and aunt were in church. Felix had simply walked away, making plans in his head. Gutted though he was that every time he came home to see her, people always whispered the rumor around, he knew what he had to do. He'd confronted her and she'd admitted that Ehis was chasing her but she'd told him a number of times that she wasn't interested but he'd persisted and was now stalking her. When next Felix had visited her and met Ehis there, throwing away all the respect he had for the guy, he'd warned him to leave his girlfriend alone. A fight had almost ensued but the pleas of Ivie and Obehi had prevented it. Angrily leaving the place, Ivie had ran after him and begged on her knees for him not to leave her. In his presence, she'd thrown away all the gifts Ehis had kept bringing her without her neither opening nor using them. What a gullible fool he'd been to have believed her.

The image came again and there was nothing he could do but go through the most devastating scene of his life. He'd lied to Ivie that fateful day that he was going back to school for an emergency carryover exam and would be back the following day or next. She'd seemed disappointed, telling him they would have been able to have a nice time alone in the house because her aunt had taken her grandfather to the hospital in Irrua and would be spending the night there. He'd been tempted to stay back, seeing that they hadn't had fun in weeks due to his exams but he'd decided to let it go. If she was truly innocent, there was more than enough time to make up for it. He'd locked himself in all day and when the sun had gone to bed, he'd gone to her place. Of course, Ehis's car was in front of her house instead of a stone's throw which was where his own house was situated. Tiptoeing into the house after noiselessly opening the unlocked front door, he'd followed the muffled voices he heard to her room. There his world had come to an end. Ehis, with his trousers at his ankles, having only his boxer shorts on, was kissing his beloved girlfriend who had stripped down to her bra and panties. Sighting him, Ehis had shot up and nearly fell from the bed while Ivie had burst into tears, saying it wasn't what he thought it was.

Feeling as if he had just had his heart ripped out while he was still breathing, Felix had nonetheless closed the door with as much dignity as he could muster, for he could not bear watching the heart rending sight anymore. On his way home, he'd bought a pack of canned Star beer and a bottle of Baileys Original Irish Cream, grateful his mother had gone to his immediate elder sister's place for omugwo. His dad was nowhere to be found but he couldn't move a muscle to care. His friends had found him in a drunken stupor the following morning. Ivie had called them to tell them what happened when she couldn't get in touch with him. Somewhere along the line, he'd lost his phone. He'd been like that for the past two days. Love had dealt him a heavy blow but it was time to start picking up the pieces of his shattered heart.

When he remembered his life with Ivie and all the love and commitment he'd poured into her and the relationship, slow tears found their way down his handsome face. One shouldn't judge a book by its cover. He'd judged Ivie to be a meek, naive, innocent and sweet girl but she was just a wolf in sheep's clothing.

It was time to pull himself together, time to get her out of his system. But first he was going to make her pay. He was going to deal her a very bitter lesson for making him a laughing stock, the mockery of her female specie. She'd rue the day she'd met him. From now on, he was going to hold whatever girls tell him with a pinch of salt. They were all the same. He would even be worse than the way he was before he met the decieving witch. He would bed any girl he sighted and leave her begging for more. Girls were good for only one thing- bedding without emotions. That was what Ivie had taught him.

He lifted his hands and wiped his tears. No more. Never again would a girl play him. Player would be his middle name from now on. He shot up on his feet to the astonishment of his friends who had been alarmed to see their friend cry because of a girl. They cursed Ivie inwardly.

Felix stretched his stiff limbs. "Guys, I need to arrange my room. But first, make una go organize three babes for me. I need to let off steam."

Ose and Kenneth exchanged glances. They stood up abruptly, sure it was still alcohol talking in their friend.

"Felix..."

Felix grinned wolfishly. His friends were taken aback. This was the former Felix, the womanizer they had known before Ivie came along.

"Guys, chill. I don fool myself finish because of woman. Person must fool e self over girl once in a lifetime. My turn don come, e don pass now. Elvis has left the building. So make I continue from where I stop. Three correct babes o. Una know how I like them abi. Slim with arsenal and bakassi. Make I go baf. I no believe say I never baf for two days because of girl. God punish devil."

His friends just continued staring at him as he walked through the dirt to his clothes hangar to get his towel, placed it on his shoulder and whistled out of the room.

Felix, the womanizer was back.

**********

When his father summoned him to his room, Gio knew it was time for the talk he'd been dodging for months. Living with Nkiru everyday had made him have another view on life. He really was a self-centered bastar.d. Nkiru had taught him in a short while to stop thinking of himself only. Reflections made him realize that he'd not only failed Fiorella and Gaetano after the death of their mother and brother but he'd failed his father as well. He hadn't been there for them. He'd shut them out and mourned alone when mourning with them would have been better, for them to share and talk about their hurts and heal together as a family. He promised to make it up to all of them, including his father. He'd already started by putting joy on Fi and Tano's faces. He'd not only hugged them when he came home, he'd presented them with gifts as well, specially chosen by Nkiru. She was like a miracle to him. He looked up and thanked his mother for watching over him. He wasn't going to go as far as thanking God. He still had issues to settle with the divine guy. He quickly sent a romantic text message to Nkiru and promised to call her later.

He strolled to his father's wing with his hands in the pocket of his well tailored dark blue trousers. He knocked politely on the heavy mahogany door and waited to be summoned before he entered. His father was seated on the bed staring at his cream-colored oriental rug. His aunt, he was surprised to see was at the window, staring down. 

Oh, boy, this was really the talk he'd been avoiding. Why were they looking so solemn? Were they getting married and didn't know how to tell him? 

His aunt turned slightly from the window and gave him a small smile. It didn't reach her eyes. Something nasty was going on here, he decided.

"Sit down, son." His father patted the space on the bed beside him. Gio looked at the sitting area and made for one of the chairs there but decided against it. He might as well comply since he was on a peace mission. He sat down beside the man who hadn't raised his head since he entered the room. When the deafening silence was too much for him to bear, Gio cleared his throat.

"Dad, I'm sorry for the way I've been in the house since we lost Mum and Dano. I've really been a jerk but Nkiru made me realize my foolishness. I really want to be a son to you again, Dad. I apologize for all I said to you that day. I didn't mean them. I was hurt, angry and I guess, jealous as well. I don't mind your relationship with Aunt Peace. I don't know what happened before you married Mum but I don't care anymore." His father lifted his head to look at him as he spoke. Gio had expected happiness from the man but noticed the man had even become more sorrowful. He even looked older than his age for the first time since the death of their family members. Gio's attention moved to the window when his aunt tried to stifle a sob.

Senator Ekwe sighed. The devil was really a wicked f.ool. Why did this have to happen when Gio had turned a new leaf? Why hadn't the Nkiru girl come earlier into Gio's life? What had really happened that night? So many questions. He needed answers.

He cleared his throat. "Jessica came here with her parents a week before you came back home."

"So?" Gio looked at the rigid back of his aunt as if he'd get his answers from there.

The senator sighed. "Gio, Jessica is pregnant."

Gio scratched his head, thinking deeply. Where had he missed a line in the conversation? Had he blanked out or something, and heard only his father's last statement?

"I feel as if I'm in a wrong conversation here. What has her pregnancy got to do with me?" he asked with lifted eyebrows. When his father didn't say anything, his silence spoke volumes to Gio and it hit him. He stood up abruptly.

"Don't tell me that b*tch is trying to pin her pregnancy on me!" He clenched his fists and stared down at his father.

"Language, young man!" He was told firmly by his father who got up also. Aunt Peace turned to watch from the window.

"How could you have believed such a thing? I haven't even slept with Nkiru whom I love so much." His father's eyes widened at that piece of information. "No, I haven't. I told you it was none of your business that day because I was angry. I hate this Jessica you're talking about."

"Why would she lie?"

"Duh! Same reason why every girl her age would lie. To get into this family. She's been chasing me since she came to that school."

"She said you had sex with her on the night of your party. You...you took her virginity."

Gio couldn't help the fits of laughter that engulfed his body. "Took her virginity? That b*tch wasn't even a virgin when she came out of her mother's womb."

"Watch your tongue, boy. Don't provoke me," The senator warned sternly.

Gio slashed his hand angrily in the air. "Then stop provoking me. I didn't have sex with her."

"She has a witness."

"Witness? This ought to be good. Who?" 

"Fiorella."

"Jesus! Fi of all people? Fi..." He drifted to a halt when he remembered that Fi had happened on them that night. Sh*t! He closed his eyes tightly. The b*tch had planned well. 

"Lemme tell you everything that happened that night, Dad. Please believe me I didn't sleep with her. Nkiru and I had a fight that night over...over what I saw when I came here. When she left, Jessica came into the room and took off her bikini top. Before I could do anything, she jumped on me." He closed his eyes. "I won't deny the fact that I was turned on but I swear nothing happened."

Gio went back in time to desperately explain to his father what happened from when he felt a stirring in his loins.

He felt a stirring in his loins. Just then a knock sounded on his door and it opened. Gio's heart beat became faster as he feared it was Nkiru coming to catch him in such a compromising situation. It was Fi. She took in the scene with shocked eyes, apologized for intruding and the door closed quietly behind her. That was close! Gio pushed Jessica off him and she fell on the bed. He shot up from the bed.

"Get out of my room!" he raged. Jessica rose slowly and seductively, and tried to touch him but he held her hand in a vice-like grip and threw her out of the room. He threw her bikini top after her and shut the door. He slid to the ground in front of the door and put his hands on his head. He suddenly hit his hand hard against the wall beside the door.

"Sh*t!"

"Take it easy, you didn't fall," Dano consoled him. Gio looked at him with glistening eyes.

"But I almost did. Christ! I almost cheated on Nkiru. If Fi hadn't come in I would have..."

"Shut up! I would have stopped you before then."


Gio looked at him with doubt. "How?" 

Dano smiled. "Maybe with a kick in the balls."

Gio smiled but became lost in thought for awhile before he got up. "I have to be with her. I can't spend another minute without her. See you in the morning."

"OK. Don't do anything with her though. She's psychologically not ready for that yet."

"Thank you, Doctor Phil," Gio threw back at his brother who laughed and disappeared.

Gio noticed Jessica was still hanging around his room when he opened his door but he ignored her. She followed him and discovered he entered the guest room Nkiru was occupying and with a naughty and smug smile on his face, he closed the door and she heard the sound of a key as it was turned in the lock.

Back to the present, Gio said, "Fi came to meet us that way. I threw her out when Fi left. That was all that happened. Even Dano..." He bit down on his lip to stop himself from continuing.

"Dano? Son, don't tell me you're still seeing him."

Gio shrugged. "It doesn't matter. All that matters is that I didn't sleep with Jessica."

He rubbed a hand on his closely cropped hair. One of his father's phones on the bed rang. The senator made an effort to pick it after viewing the caller ID. He spoke into it for a few minutes and hung up.

"Jessica, her parents and her uncle, the chief justice are downstairs," he proclaimed strongly.

"Fine! Let that bi...girl say such lies to my face." His eyes blazed fire.

"Don't go using cuss words there, Gio," his father warned sternly. Gio nodded but he was boiling inside. He felt like ripping Jessica apart. His father put an arm on his shoulder.

"Calm down. Now that the chief justice is around, we'll sort things out." Gio shrugged. He couldn't care less.

It was surprisingly difficult but by the time he got to the door leading to the living room, he'd reverted to his former self before he met Nkiru. His face was a frozen mask, his darkly handsome features were set hard in stone. With a calm he wasn't feeling on the inside, he opened the door and entered their magnificent living room. They were all seated at one side of the living room. Gio greeted the elders and ignored Jessica. He was surprised to see her dressed like a nun. Her hair was wrapped in a black linen scarf. He knew the real Jessica wouldn't agree to be buried in the dress she had on which looked like a homemade shroud and covered every part of her body. Gio knew he had a lot of drama coming up because it was obvious she was a snake. She was all pretense at home. Disgust was all over his face for her. She sat in between her parents with hands clasped together and head bent. He felt like going over there to beat the truth out of her.

The senator came into the room then. They all stood except his son who he shockingly noticed had gone back to his cold self. He might have been carved from marble. Not a muscle moved on his strikingly hard features. Senator Ekwe groaned inwardly. He had to handle the matter delicately for Gio not to go back permanently to his hateful self. After exchanging pleasantries, the Chief Justice started the discussion by telling the senator what brought them. When he was through, the senator sighed.

"My son said he isn't responsible for her pregnancy," he calmly informed the old man who had moved away from his family to sit beside him. Jessica's head shot up and tears came into her eyes.

"It's a lie. He's responsible. Maybe he doesn't remember." She turned to look at him from her seat with tears rolling down her eyes. "It was the night of your party. I was going to my room when I saw you going to yours. You looked upset so I went to your room to ask what was wrong. We were both tipsy. Before I knew what was happening, you grabbed me and...and..." She burst into tears after blowing smoke. Her mother consoled her.

Gio didn't say a word. His eyes had however gotten darker. The adults in the room looked at him expectantly.

"May I speak with Jessica alone?" His words came out between clenched teeth, one lean hand visibly coiling into a fist. Jessica shouted and gave a world class performance of a scared person. Absolute outrage paralysed him. Violence shimmered rawly in his brilliant dark stare.

"Please don't leave me with him. When he was through, he told me not to tell anyone or he would deal with me." Her bare lips wobbled.

"Shut up!" Gio raged and got up when she was through crying wolf. His father quickly pushed himself to his feet to stop his son who he noticed was making an effort to control himself. "Stop lying. I wouldn't even touch you with a barge-pole."

His father calmed him down and made him tell them what happened that night which he did by coming out swinging as he recounted the events of that horrible night. The Senator and the Chief Justice exchanged glances when he was through. Jessica's father spoke up for the first time to remind them of his daughter's witness. The senator picked his phone and called his daughter to come downstairs. By the time she came down the stairs, the tension in the room simmered like a boiling couldron. A regal beauty, adorned in a cap sleeve shift dress with keyhole detail, she greeted everyone in the room. Her father told her why she'd been called. She was told to recount her own version of the events that took place that night. She stood there with head bent before lifting teary eyes to stare at her brother. She stared at him for some tense seconds before focusing her gaze on her dad.

"I went to Gio's room that night to call him. Our cousins were looking for him. I knocked and opened the door. I...I..." She paused to look at the weeping Jessica. "I saw Gio lying on Jessica. They were both naked and Gio held Jessica's hands above her head with his. I left the room. I went downstairs to tell our cousins he was busy. I got tired of the party and decided to go upstairs for a short while. When I got to my wing, Jessica brushed past me, weeping. I went after her to her room. I...I...noticed she was bleeding. I thought she was on her period but when I pressurized her, she told me what Gio did to her." She ignored Gio's gasp. Her face was set in stone. "She begged me not to tell anyone and also for me not to confront him. I was disappointed in my brother so I stopped talking to him. That...that's what happened that night," Fi admitted tightly, tears glimmering in her strained gaze.

Jessica's mother clapped her hands and started saying parables in Igbo language. Her husband hushed her up.

Gio got up slowly to stand before his sister, wondering why she'd cut the ground from under his feet. She lowered her eyes.

"Fi, why are you doing this? Why are you lying? Why are you taking sides with her over me, your family?" he whispered.

Her eyes flashed in anger. "Family? What family?" she asked with saccharine sweetness, venom dripping from every syllable. "Aren't you a stranger to me? The only family you have is Nkiru Chiwendu. Let her come and save you now." Her words made him move back a step. There was so much pain and hatred in her eyes. She'd just relished giving him a taste if his own medicine.

Sh*t! His past had come to hurt his future. His sister was punishing him for ignoring her all these years. It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man. He lifted a hand to hold her and plead with her that things would be different from now on and that he'd gotten his sense back but she moved back.

"You ruined my life," she whispered and the tears she'd been holding at bay gushed down her eyes.

The Chief Justice spoke up then. "I don't think we should argue back and forth over this. The evidence is before us. There's no one to support Giovanni's claims of innocence. Even his own sister isn't willing to lie for him."

The senator straightened his shoulders. He knew what needed to be done. He could only pray for Gio to forgive him. He lifted his head, his decision made.

"When will I come with my people?"

Gio turned around in a flash to stare accusingly at his father. "Go with your people for what? You must be joking,' Gio said in a tone of icy derision. "There's no way in hell I'm going to marry this slut!" he breathed, aggressive jawline clenched hard. 

His father said in anger. "Shut up, Giovanni!"

"No, I won't! I didn't touch her. You can't make me marry her. Tell her to go and look for whoever is responsible for her pregnancy, that's if she's even pregnant. I, Giovanni Chukwuma Ekwe won't marry her!" He swung on his heels to leave but stopped when he saw his sister, his lean strong face set in steely lines as he closed the distance between them in a couple of strides.

"I'll never forgive you for this," he whispered solemnly to her and left the living room. She bent under the weight of the words and had to grope for a chair to sit on because her eyes were blurry from the fountain of tears that were coming out of them.

The senator tried calling back his son but he didn't listen. He apologized to his guests. They all claimed they understood. In between them, they fixed a date when he would come with his people to do the formal introduction. There would be no need for the for the first introduction considering the situation of things. The Ikwu Aka was fixed on the 22nd of January, 2011. When they left, he quizzed his daughter on what she'd said and she remained adamant and consistent with her words. He walked to his room, dejected. This wasn't what he'd planned for his son. He didn't even like the Chief Justice's family and even though Gio would be twenty-three by the time the whole marriage rites would be over, he felt he was too young to be saddled with a wife and child but the foolish boy had made his bed, so he'd lie on it. 

Gio paced his room. Murder was on his mind. He wanted to kill Jessica and Fi too. Fi's attitude baffled him. She hated him that much to want to ruin his future? He couldn't get his head around it. It was time to think on his feet.

Dano appeared and sat on the bed. He watched his brother walk about the room with a grim expression on his face. Gio paused and stared at his late twin.

"What am I going to do, Dano? I can't afford to lose Nkiru." 

"I really don't know, Gio. Jessica played her cards well but hang it there. Something's gotta give."

Gio sat down heavily on the bed. "I'm doomed then. If you a genius can't get me out of this, then I don't know who can." He laid back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He got up abruptly and removed his phone from his pocket. He had to tell Nkiru. He didn't want the slut telling her first. He wouldn't put it past her. Poor Luna.

When two elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled.

**********

Jessica happily laid on her bed when they got to her uncle's house in Maitama. She was chuffed to bits. In a few weeks, she'd be on her way to becoming Gio's wife. She'd complained to her mother that the timing was too long because she feared Gio would do something to get out of it. They ought not to put their eggs in one basket before Gio would pull a rabbit out of a hat to avoid the marriage. Her mother had told her it wasn't possible since Gio's father was in charge. Besides, it meant the senator going to the village to inform his people and being a busy man with official duties in and out of the country, that would take time. Jessica stared at her fingers and imagined her wedding rings. She wondered if she could press for an engagement ring. She laughed joyously.

She had been thunderstruck when she discovered she was pregnant. She had known of course that it was at the night of Gio's party her child had been conceived. She'd been so Hot that night, she'd forgotten precaution. Perfect! She'd killed two birds with one stone.There was no need eliminating that gold digger. Though before she discovered she was pregnant, her mother had gone to meet the native doctor again to eliminate Nkiru but she was told that the same force protecting Gio was also protecting her. It wasn't a force he could fight because it was an unusual force. It was both of this world and the underworld. They'd thought and thought of a way to get Gio but had come up short. Her pregnancy however had been a stroke of luck. It was most fortunate that Fi had walked in on them that night, thereby giving her an alibi. Now Gio wouldn't be able to deny the pregnancy. She wouldn't have planned it so perfectly. 

She was however scared of Gio. She'd watched the way he'd tried to control his anger. What if he was really psychologically inbalanced? Would he beat her? Kill her? She shuddered. She believed her uncle would protect her from such. She would make sure of that. She smiled again. The fact that Gio didn't love her didn't deter her. She felt with time, he'd come to love her because no man had ever resisted her. She'd keep him sated with so much mind-blowing s.ex, he'd have no choice but to love her. After giving birth to this child, she'd quickly take in again to solidify their marriage. Perfect!

The evil plotter picked up her phone to call her friends but dropped it again. Her parents wanted every thing hush hush for now till after the wine carrying. She smiled again.

*To be continued on Sunday*


Don't be too upset, folks. Some stories need to have villains.


Thanking You.

Essyprity:

Well, let me continue reading. I didn't know I was supposed to sing ur praises at all times. Forgive. I hardly do read other people's comments so I do not know what dear Jonathan has written, I just put down mine.

Audrey honey, I told u that the E-Spirits have arrived. They claim to give constructive criticism, but what they actually give is destructive criticism.
Please continue with your beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your beautiful stories with us overtime. Obhulu.

Wao i must admit i didnt see the twist and turns of events coming, look at the way Jessica pinned gio, its genius i cant believe something this amazing will come out of it because Jessica is someone who i always associate with such things, and the change from school environment to service to graduate was very rapid dear you should have made the school thingy last longer, now that they are graduates i feel the end of the story is near, and i like the way you employ comif relief especially using proverbs, i always laugh whenever i see the chicken and roach proverb. Please Audrey dont let jessy get away with this i believe they can di something about it maybe a test to see if its actually gio's baby. Anticipating your next update

Getting more interesting,Gio who is with u on this issue? Audrey thanks alot for the updates.

OMG! I actually wasn't expecting Jessica to do this and Fi of all persons to go this far because her brother is in love? This is really shocking. Poor Nkiru, always having to fight for her love.
Why can't Gio's dad believe him? Did he really think Gio is capable of rape inside his own father's house?
I think Fi deserves whatever comes her way from Gio. She has bitten more than she can chew.

Now Sunday, where are you?

By the way, thanks Audrey for the surprise meal. I noticed a few typos though in this update. I'll just highlight the ones i can remember so you can make corrections when you can...

Jessica's head shut up and tears came to her eyes (I think it should be shot and not shut)

She stood there with head bent before lifting teary eyes to stare at her brother before looking at her dad. (I think this sentence should be restructured)

He didn't even like the chief justice's family and even though Gio would be twenty-three by the time the whole marriage rites would be over, ( I think the first letters in chief justice should be written in caps. So it should be Chief Justice)

She followed him and discovered he entered the guest room Nkiru was occupying and with a naughty and smug smile on his face, he closed the door and she head the sound of a key as it was turned in the lock.

Haba,everything is happening so fast.
Parents should at some point,v little trust for their children abeg,ds is so annoying biko.

This thing dey vex me whalai. Jessica must not marry Gio ooo

Audrey,u d best......have been a silent reader....right from unfufilled promise,,,mehn u killed DAT Story...now to dis present story I jues have to come out of ma shell....jues to comment on d good work u have been doing....nice write up...em loving dis story more,thanx and may GOD Bless you

Chai may thunder strike dis jessica 2 death oh I dey vex abeg make person hold me!!

Adegokedamisky:
Chai may thunder strike dis jessica 2 death oh I dey vex abeg make person hold me!!

slapping Jessy is allowed

Now we r on frontpage,abi my nokia E5 dey deceive me

Audrey.. ..Comr Chijioke E (Bishop) came knocking ..

congrats ma you are now on FP

tijehi:


Audrey honey, I told u that the E-Spirits have arrived. They claim to give constructive criticism, but what they actually give is destructive criticism.
Please continue with your beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your beautiful stories with us overtime. Obhulu.

Lol. You did, indeed. Thanks dear. And it's a pleasure sharing the story with you all.

Jonathan2787:
Wao i must admit i didnt see the twist and turns of events coming, look at the way Jessica pinned gio, its genius i cant believe something this amazing will come out of it because Jessica is someone who i always associate with such things, and the change from school environment to service to graduate was very rapid dear you should have made the school thingy last longer, now that they are graduates i feel the end of the story is near, and i like the way you employ comif relief especially using proverbs, i always laugh whenever i see the chicken and roach proverb. Please Audrey dont let jessy get away with this i believe they can di something about it maybe a test to see if its actually gio's baby. Anticipating your next update

Lol. It would have become boring had i continued with the school environment and graduation thingy. Besides, we are not even half-way yet o.The drama is just beginning. Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks dear