Chapter 1 THE BREAKUP-CHAPTER ONE

I buried my head into the pillow as I stumbled on my bed and wet it with tears. "Are you finally back from the moon?" Said the female voice mockingly.. Have I asked for too much or believed in a stupid fairy tale? Maybe happiness isn't meant for everyone...

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It was my first relationship; not my first love. Although it does not feel like a fairy tale; like a prince in shiny armour or the Cinderella story; we were happy.

We've been together for months - six months, I guess.

We loved the sunset, it was the only moment we got to meet again after a long day at work only if the work was not hectic.

Nights and a few days of adventurous sex, gifts and vacations.

It all started to fade when we started growing apart. As the white people will say, we fell out of love...

Every night at the end of every call with him I'll always say 'I love you to the moon and back'...

Jade's words of mockery that very night had caused me to weep uncontrollably.

"...Because I don't get it. Why must everyone cry after breakups? Is it not a reason to rejoice for the restored freedom and enjoy being single? Is it the sex or the gifts you are set to lose?" Jade rant.

"Stop it, Jade. I'm not a sociopath. If you can't ease my tensions please leave and let me be." I cried.

"Suit yourself " She said and left the room slamming the door.....

I can't tell the tale of how I have someone like her as a roommate who has always been my best friend.

We have been together since high school; we graduated from the same university but work at different firms.

Never have I ever known Jade to be in a relationship nor heard her talk about having feelings for anyone. She would let the men know that she would be available for just a night and stupidly they all run into her arms.

"Men are trash, they are meant for disposal " she would say....

Everybody knows that women are to lose their value or integrity if they have more than one partner but it's the other way round for my dear friend as she will always cause these men to come running again with pleas, but she will never give a second chance......

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My period of brooding was finally over, I was back to my normal shape, energy and ways of life.

I was about to leave for work when I heard a quick bang at the door... "Aunty Jọláadé!!". The voice came from the door. I recognized it and rushed to open the door.

"Mummy Ẹnitan, kíni ó ṣẹlẹ̀? (What happened?)". I asked curiously as I saw her panting.

"My husband is terribly sick and I have no transport fee to take him to the Basic Health centre. Please, Aunty Jọláadé, can you help me with your car?" She pleaded tearfully.

I couldn't resist her tears as she begged for help. She already looked pitiful as she was the only one who had been seriously caring for her two teenagers.

Sometimes I wonder why she still cares so much for such a man as her husband who lost everything due to his arrogance and infidelity.

I dashed into my room picked up my bag with the car key and followed her as she assisted her husband to walk into the car.

I dropped them at the hospital, gave her the sum of five thousand to buy everything necessary and drove to work...

Apex Insurance has been reaching for the top nonstop. I've joined the firm as a potential worker for the past five years and I've been one of their most industrious workers.

As the personal assistant and personal secretary to the Managing Director I know every detail about work; what comes and goes.

A lot of influential men and women in the business sector and beyond have privately insured their lives and properties.

Nevertheless, everyone was welcome to join the list of our clients.

I rushed into the office that very morning; headed toward Mr. Richard's Office, the managing director whom I found attending to a young man whose face was a bit familiar.

I greeted him, placed the necessary files on his table and was about to return to my duty when he called me to create a file for the young man whom I had proposed to be a new client.

"Trust me, you are in safe hands." Mr Richard had told the young man.

I led the way back to my post while he followed, I could see other workers staring at him and others grinning.

The young man's scent is a kind you'll never want to let go of as I inhaled softly and smiled.

I offered him a seat and a form to fill.

"Your name, sir?" I asked while he filled out the forms.

"Zach Williams" he replied softly and I froze "z a c h" he spelt without raising his head.

I knew it the moment I found him to be so familiar.

I returned home that evening hoping to tell Jade about him but to my disappointment, she was not so interested.

"Hey Jade"

"Hi, Jọláadé. I'm so sorry. It was an unexpected one with great pay" she replied over the phone.

"I understand. Hope you are good?"

"Very well"

"Guess who I met at work today?"

"Who?"

"Your colleague"

"Which one?"

" Zach Williams!" I replied excitedly.

Jade sucked her teeth.

" I thought maybe you met someone like Oprah Winfrey or Michelle Obama. Just because he's on the screen doesn't make him any better than others."

"You sure know how to ruin the mood.." I felt disappointed

"I have to prepare for my next scene. Talk to you later" she said "Ciao." She added and ended the call.

I lay on the bed.

In a few weeks, I was ready to start dating again. Checked into a few dating sites and found a few who might be suitable suitors.

I looked glammed in my short flared black gown. I was all set to leave and as always Jade was there to ruin the mood. "You can't even wait for months before dating again. I guess you love being broken." Jade said cautiously.

I walked out without responding.

I arrived at the exquisite restaurant at the scheduled time and enquired from one of the staff about the reservation.

"Table 12". I said.

"Over there! By the window side"... He said.

I already loved the view.

I walked gracefully towards the direction but what I saw made me freeze. I felt like I was about to choke....................