ALWAYS AND FOREVER

"So, you mean to tell me I am pregnant?!"

"Yes, Mrs. Babatunde. Accept my congratulations."

"Thank you so much, Doc." Her doctor smiled a bright smile and sent her on her way, she couldn't sit still in the car. She wanted to share the good news with her husband. They had been trying to get pregnant for about a year. And now, it was finally here. Amaka decided she would go to his office instead and switched routes.

Amaka all but ran into the building, trying her best to get to Dolapo in time without tripping on her feet. When she got to the office, she saw that they were on their lunch break. She quickly got into the elevator and made her way to Dolapo's office. as she expected, she didn't meet his secretary so she went straight to his office. Amaka paused in her steps when she began to hear sounds that should only be coming from their bedroom.

"Ah...fuck...Dolapo!!!"

"Ungh!!!"

"Oh, yes...yes...just like...FUCK!!!"

Amaka slowly and carefully approached the door, and with her heart in her mouth, she opened the door. A woman was bent over his desk while Dolapo plowed her from behind. The woman was completely naked while Dolapo had just undone his slacks and had taken his suit off.

They kept moaning and grunting, Dolapo's eyes closed in passion. A passion that she thought he only shared with her. Her husband threw his head back and she could tell by the look on his face that he had just orgasm. In her. It was then she screamed. That got their attention. Dolapo looked like he had seen a ghost and quickly began pulling on his clothes.

"Amaka!!!"

"Fuck you, Dolapo!!!"

Amaka turned and ran from the building, straight home, packed a few of her belongings, and left. As she sat in her hotel room crying, she began to think of her next move and the tiny human growing inside her.

"Fuck you, Dolapo!!!"

Living in a city that never sleeps will prove to be a never-ending task that will humble you. As the saying goes, if you can't be smart in Lagos, you can't be smart anywhere else. And that theory has proved itself to Amaka on several occasions.

"Emeka. Turn off that television and pick up your bag, you'll be late for school."

Amaka waited until she heard the footsteps of her son as he carried out her instruction. She was late for work. Again. She couldn't afford to lose her job. Jobs were hard to come by these days and she had a six-year-old son to care for. One that must be taken care of.

She quickly grabbed her son's lunch case from the kitchen and led them out of the two bedrooms flat they lived in, after securing the locks and herding her over-active seven-year-old into the backseat of her Honda civic vehicle, she began navigating Lagos traffic. It was still relatively early and she had made sure her son schooled nearby to avoid her getting stuck in traffic on her way to and from work.

As soon as she dropped him and gave him her love, she was back in the traffic. She looked at the time every three seconds as she drove, so much so that she almost brushed another vehicle.

Amaka thought the car looked familiar but that thought disappeared when the driver rolled down his window and began yelling profanities at her. She responded in kind but the match soon stopped when his boss sitting at the back seat told him to keep driving.

Amaka was already riled up, she didn't need any more negative vibes. She got to work successfully and thankfully, no one had even noticed that she had arrived late. She worked at a logistics company as the CEO's assistant. The office was really busy, more than usual. Amaka power walked to the receptionist's table and tapped Esther on the shoulder.

"Esther, what is happening?"

"You know that rumor that was going around that our boss wanted to sell this company?"

"Yes. What about it?"

"My dear turns out it is true."

Amaka covered her mouth and stared into space, the thoughts of all the things that could go wrong for her with this takeover going through her mind.

"So, did they say anything about us?" Esther instantly understood what Amaka was trying to say, it was the question that was ringing through the minds of every employee at that moment. It was why everyone was bustling around doing their best that they don't be the ones to lose their jobs.

"My dear, I don't know. No one has said anything to that effect."

"But who exactly is our new boss?"

"That would be me."

Amaka froze when she heard that voice, the very one that had broken her heart into pieces almost seven years ago and had given her tremors since then. She could already feel her heart beginning to respond to him and didn't want to turn because she knew her voice would betray her. Amaka took deep breaths to calm her racing heart and finally turned to the source of the voice.

"You must be Amaka, my assistant?" The way he said Personal didn't quite sit well with her and if this was how he wanted to play this, she was game too.

"Hello sir, yes I am Amaka. Would you like me to show you to your office?"

"I already know where it is but comes with me anyway, we have much to discuss."

Amaka grudgingly followed him into his office, waiting for him to walk around his desk as she stood in the room waiting. Instead, she felt his presence behind her, she steeled her body and her heart to obey her and not respond to him.

"Mr. Babatunde..."

"Amaka, please call me Dolapo. I feel like we've known each other in another lifetime."

"You're my boss now, sir. I have to address you properly."

"Oh." Dolapo began walking towards Amaka as she moved back until her back hit the door and he was standing in front of her. She tried to open it and run but Dolapo slammed his hand against it and turned the lock. Amaka stayed facing the lock as she felt his body slide up behind hers, molding himself to her. She felt his breathing close to her ear and tried to push back the memories that this very position held for her, she could feel her throat begin to tighten at the thoughts.

"Amy... I remember a time you used to love calling me by my name."

"That was a long time ago, please don't make this hard for either of us."

"Oh, I remember how hard you made me back then and how much you loved it."

Dolapo blew a light breeze at the crook of her neck and bit down gently on the spot before suckling on it. Amaka bit her lip to hold back a moan and bent her head to the side, giving him more access to her neck. Dolapo held on to her waist and pulled her back into him, her backside snug against him.

"There was a time you used to crave this..."

That was what was needed to restore Amaka to her senses, she pushed back against him with as much force as she could muster and was able to push him back enough for her to unlock the door. Before she left, she turned to him.

"You are right, Dolapo. There was a time I used to crave for you but then you decided that she was more important than us. And here we are." Amaka took a deep breath to regain herself.

"Welcome to Gobe Logistics, Mr. Babatunde. If you need anything, my office is right next to yours, and you could always use the intercom."

Amaka closed the door as gently as she could and walked to her office, as soon as she closed the door behind her, she ran to her desk and cried her eyes out. She had tried over the years to forget him, forget how she saw them on that fateful night, in their bedroom. Seeing him brought back memories, good and bad memories.

And he's been here brought a really big problem for her. What to do about Emeka? He looked too much like his father, if Dolapo ever saw him, there was no doubt that he would know that Emeka was his.

Amaka quickly pulled herself together. She had left Abuja immediately after their divorce to come to settle in Lagos, she would take it one step at a time. He would never find out about Emeka. He must not. Amaka sat up straight in her chair and began her usual tasks for the day, she knew Dolapo wouldn't give her any breathing space because of their history, she would have to work just as hard as anybody else. If not harder. Not up to ten minutes later, Dolapo called her into his office and listed off the things he needed her to do for the day.

Amaka had been right, he didn't take it easy on her. She had worked throughout the day, even though her lunch break. As she was about to finish, he brought more. Even some she recognized as ones she had done before the takeover. When she had gone in to tell him she was going for her lunch break, he had told her off.

"Amaka, do you think this job is a joke to you?"

"No, sir."

"Have you finished your work?"

"No, sir, but I'm almost done with..."

"Almost there is not there yet, Amaka. I don't want to have any reason to believe that you do not take your job seriously." And so she had gone back to her office, but as she closed the door, he called her on the intercom.

"Yes sir?"

"One more thing, Amaka. Don't close your door. You're to leave it open at all times."

It was almost 5:00 pm, almost time to pick up Emeka from his extra classes and thirty minutes past her closing hour. She heaved a sigh, gathered up her courage, and went to tell Dolapo that it was time for her to go home.

"Sir..." Dolapo sighed and raised his head from his computer and looked at her. Amaka felt like he was staring into her soul.

"Yes, Amaka. What do you want now?"

"It's past my closing time. I need to go home."

"But we're not quite finished yet."

"I know, but..."

"But you don't. You don't know what it takes to be a PA. You can only leave when the job is done, Amaka. Is that clear?" Amaka choked back the sobs that wanted out. Since she had known him, he had never spoken so harshly to her before, she could feel the venom in his voice. And it unnerved her. But then again, seven years is more than enough to change anybody.

"Or maybe...there is someone who is waiting for you to come home?"

He was baiting her. She knew it but didn't know how to answer the question. If she said yes, she will have to tell him about Emeka or he would assume that she had a lover, and he would keep her there even longer. If she said no, then she would have to formulate a lie about why she needed to go home so bad. Amaka was a terrible liar. Dolapo knew that about her.

"Umm..." Amaka's mouth opened and closed like a fish in the ocean, she didn't know what to answer him, and luckily, she was saved from having to provide an answer by a knock on the door. Dolapo looked at her for a few more seconds before asking whoever it was to come in.

"Good day, sir."

"Come in, John."

Amaka quickly stole out of the room, she didn't know she was holding in her breath until she sat down at her table. She took a few seconds to collect herself before picking up her phone to call her sister. Janet picked up on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Janet, I need a favor."

"Good evening to you too, Amaka. What is it?"

"I need you to pick up Emeka from school, please. I won't be able to make it in time." There was silence on the other end of the line for some time before Janet spoke up.

"Why won't you be able to make it?"

"It's a long story, I'll tell you all about it I promise." Amaka's voice broke a little at the end but she cleared her throat and coughed. But, that was enough for Janet. She agreed immediately and after making a promise to spill everything on the weekend, she went to fetch her nephew.

Meanwhile, Amaka bent her head on her table and silently swore at the universe.

The week had proved to be hectic. More than usual because of a certain someone, and she was looking forward to her girl's night with her sister and her one best friend, Ini. All three were mothers but Amaka was the only single pea in this pod. Her two friends were married and so the kids would be with their husbands, Emeka included. She felt it was good for him, at least he got to have a fatherly feel once in a month.

Amaka looked at the clock, it was almost 7:00 pm, she stood from her seat and slid into his office, dropping the last of the files on his desk.

"Goodnight sir." Amaka begins to walk out of his office when she hears him call out to her.

"Yes, sir?"

Dolapo was silent for some seconds before he waved his hand dismissively. Amaka huffed and went to her desk, quickly picking up her bag and running to the elevator before he said or did something to make her stay more.

She got into her car and tried starting it up but it wouldn't. Amaka got out of the car and popped open the bonnet, trying all she knew how to do but the car wouldn't start.

"Do you need a little help?"

Amaka's heart nearly dropped into her stomach when she heard the voice directly behind her. she turned her head around, her hands still on the bonnet, and saw Dolapo standing behind her. She rolled her eyes and went back to trying to make the car start.

"No."

Dolapo just smiled faintly and leaned on the side of his car and admired her body from behind. She had gained weight. The good kind and it had gone straight to where they were needed, she was thicker now than she was seven years ago. He had to close his eyes and shake his head to rid himself of the thoughts that were beginning to invade his senses.

Amaka was aware of Dolapo eyes on her and it made her hot and very uncomfortable. She slammed the bonnet shut and marched around to the driver's side to fetch her bag and blazer. She would have to take the dreaded yellow buses. She ignored Dolapo and began walking towards the gates when she was pulled back into a hard chest. She immediately moved away from him and kept as much distance as she could between them.

"What is the meaning of this, sir?"

"Get in the car, Amaka, I'll take you home." Dolapo pulled the car keys from his pocket and unlocked the Venza, opening the passenger seat for her to get in.

"No."

"Amaka..."

"Besides, you don't know where I live."

"I am the boss, Amaka. Just in case I need to remind you, and I have all your information. So, yes, I know where you live."

Amaka had forgotten about that part, or maybe she just thought that he wouldn't be interested in knowing where she lived. She was wrong. Then there was Emeka, she couldn't risk him knowing about him. At least not yet. She looked from him to his car and back, trying to make a decision and also some sort of damage control in her head.

"Fine. But you only stop me at my gate, you are not and will never be allowed into my home."

"Why? Are you scared the boyfriend will finally see your ex-husband or maybe he doesn't even know you've been married?"

Amaka looked at Dolapo with a bored expression, once again, he was trying to bait her into talking about her love life. She ignored him and entered the car, fastened her seatbelt, and watched as he walked to the driver's side and entered the vehicle beside her.

Amaka felt as though the car had shrunk down in size, she watched silently as Dolapo started the car and turned on the radio, the station was playing Tiwa Savage and even though all she wanted to do was to remain silent till the end of the journey, she couldn't resist singing along. She was so engrossed in the music that she didn't know when Dolapo started singing along until they got to the end. They both laughed together at their bad voices and their silliness.

"That felt good, Amaka."

"Yes, it did."

"Just like old times..."

That statement triggered thoughts and memories that she didn't want to have. The good ones but especially the bad. The very trying times towards the end of their marriage. Amaka scoffed and looked out the window, ignoring him.

"Do you ever think of how things would have been if we hadn't split?"

"I don't, how do you expect me to think about how you were fucking your 'cousin' on our matrimonial bed?!" She saw Dolapo wince and she glared even harder at him.

"Listen...I said I was sorry...besides it was just once..."

"We both know sorry doesn't quite cut it, and that was not what she was saying when she came to see me after our divorce. Answer me this, were you or were you not with her on our anniversary a year before our divorce?"

"I wasn't. I was at a very important business meeting..."

"A very important business meeting with her."

"No!"

"Really? Because she sent me a lot of pictures of your time together in the fucking Maldives!!!"

Dolapo opened his mouth and closed it, he didn't know what to say, he just wanted to have a non-hostile conversation with her...and yet here they were. He loved her, that was without a doubt but with Amaka, it always had to be black or white. And Dolapo preferred the gray areas of life.

"Amaka..."

"Please, all of that is water under the bridge. I don't want to remember it."

Dolapo opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it and held his tongue. They soon arrived at her house, Amaka opened the door and ran into her apartment like hell was on her heels without as much as a goodbye. Dolapo sat in his car for about 10 minutes just staring at the building before starting the car and leaving.

Amaka watched from the window as Dolapo drove away, she could feel Janet's eyes on her, trying to prod her head for answers. She let the drapes down and went about her business. Janet had left Emeka at her house where he was with her husband and his cousins and was expecting the arrival of Ini's daughter, Abigail.

"You know what I am waiting for, don't make me ask for it."

"Janet, I promise I'll tell you and Ini all about it, let's just wait for her to get here and let me freshen up too. It's been a hectic day."

"You had better. I'm holding you to your word."

Amaka quickly ran to her room and locked the door before her sister changed her mind. Janet was fiercely protective of her, and Amaka was sure she wouldn't like the idea of Dolapo dropping her at home. That was why she had not told her who the mysterious man in the flashy car was. That would take a great deal of explaining, one that Amaka didn't yet have the strength for.

Amaka took a shower, went through her nighttime routine, took a short nap, and joined her sister in the living room, where Ini was waiting for her. the second she came out, they attacked her with questions. Amaka looked at the clock and saw that it was almost 9:00 pm. So much for a short nap.

"Well, hello, Ini. Long time no see I am very well, thank you for asking..."

"Abeg cut the bullshit. Give us the gist...all of it."

"I will. You will get everything, just give me a few minutes, let me make something for us to eat first. Aren't you guys hungry?"

"We are but we brought reinforcements." Ini pointed towards her small round dining tucked away in a corner of the room, and it was full of boxes of pizza, some Chinese and there was wine. That was sure to be Ini's idea.

"Oh..."

"Yes, now you do not have any excuse. Come over here and tell us everything."

Amaka sighed and sat on the sofa between Ini and Janet. Ini stood to fetch a box of pizza and a bottle of wine, alongside some glasses, and returned. She pulled out a side table and set it in front of them, setting the refreshments on it. She poured out three glasses of wine and sat down, Amaka dropped her glass down on the table and attacked the pizza box, she picked it back up after she had assuaged her hunger with three slices of pizza.

"Ini, how far with Junior, does he still have those episodes?"

"Not really, they are still there but they are much less intense than what they used to be. Thank God."

Junior had nightmares. Nightmares that came from been bullied, and some nights were worse than others.

They talked a lot about their lives, their ambitions, their future, their homes with Amaka trying her best to deflect the topic from herself. Two hours, two boxes of pizza, and a bottle of red wine later, Amaka felt like she had won. That was until Ini put her in the spotlight.

"Amaka, you know that your plan is not working, right?"

Busted!!!

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, please, spare us the theatrics. You think we don't know you've been stalling?" Janet said.

Amaka sighed dropped her glass, rubbing her hands over her face, there was no escaping them now. She should have known that she couldn't fool these, especially Ini, and definitely when the gossip was this juicy.

"Okay, what do you want to know?" Both women opened their mouths to speak but Janet beat Ini to it.

"Who was the man that dropped you off this evening?" That immediately caught Ini's interest and she even forgot about the question she wanted to ask.

"What man?"

"A man dropped her off today. It was a Venza, a very flashy, classy car. That has never happened before."

"Amaka, spill!" Ini bounced on the sofa like a schoolgirl who just got a kiss from her crush before she finally calmed herself down enough to listen to her.

"The man that dropped me off...that...is a very long story, and I have to begin at the very beginning." Amaka's eyes wandered to the two women sitting at her sides.

"Okay. Let's go..."

"And it is also very important that you do not interrupt me...no matter how angry or excited you may get."

Janet and Ini looked at each other. Amaka's last statement was all she needed to know that whatever was coming out of her mouth next will not be pleasant. At least not to them."

"Go on, we are all ears."

Amaka took a deep breath and took a huge swig from her glass. She was going to be needing the motivation.

"It all began last week when Globe logistics was bought, and I became the PA of someone new. The new boss. He was the one who dropped me off today."

"Aww, he is already falling for you...I mean who wouldn't, you are so beautiful and you've got a fat..." Amaka fixed her with a look and Ini immediately settled down, muttering an apology.

"Ladies, it is important that the rules are not forgotten. Let's not get carried away." Ini quickly bobbed her head up and down while Janet fixed her with her best 'don't fuck this up' look.

"So, the man who dropped me off is not just my boss but my ex-husband too."

Amaka waited because she knew they wouldn't keep quiet for this one and she was right. They managed to hold it in for a few seconds and then they bombarded her with questions.

"You mean Dolapo?!"

"Of course, it's Dolapo. Does she have any other ex-husband?"

"Wait...so, he bought the company you work for?"

"And, he has not fired you?"

"Oh, that bastard. He always has a way of showing up when things are going well for you!"

"But, why did he drop you off?"

"Yes. You both hate each other."

"Does he know about Emeka? Was that why he came?"

"Jesus Christ, we need to get you a lawyer, just in case he tries to take him from you."

"Guys..."

"Yes, I agree with you, Ini. Where is my phone?"

"Guys!!!" That got their attention, they stooped all their questions and Janet stopped the search for her phone. It took a few seconds, but they eventually remembered the rule. They settled back down and waited for Amaka to finish.

"Amaka, this is not good. What are you going to do?"

"I haven't told him about Emeka yet. I don't know if I want to tell him. I don't know how he will react to the news that he has a six-year-old son."

"I hate to say this but you have to tell him, Amaka. He has a right to know."

"Yes. No matter your relationship with him, Emeka is still his son and it is not right to keep him away from his father."

"I don't know..."

"Amaka, we know this is hard for you. We will always be here. Once I get to the office come Monday, I will get in contact with a lawyer and see what he can do to see to it that Dolapo doesn't take Emeka from you." Janet took Amaka's hand in hers.

"While she is doing that, you have to tell Dolapo on Monday, as soon as you resume work."

Amaka took a deep breath and rested her head on her sister's shoulder. This was going to be harder than she thought.