In love again

Breathtakingly handsome, thirty four years of age but age has got nothing on his looks and appearance. Ladies kind of man. Perfect height, perfect body tone, perfect physique and almost perfect all round. Eric though from Anambra state in Nigeria has lived most of his life at the overseas.

He is the founder and owner of Hadel textiles and fashions and has managed to circulate the industry all over the country and beyound while his major branch and office is at Lagos city.

It was after the death of his wife that he permanently relocated to Nigeria and only got abroad for business.

"Daddy!" squealed Ella and Precious as they ran to Eric. Eric lifted them up into his arms like they weighed nothing while they chuckled in the process.

"Sweethearts."

He kissed their cheeks lightly tucking in their hair behind while looking at his kids adoringly.

"Daddy did you get my shoes?" Ella questioned.

"What about my new socks?" Precious added.

Eric had been away the whole of the previous week and had promised them lots of goodies. He gently brought them down.

"Now,you close your eyes and only open them when I ask you to."

Quietly,while the girls closed their eyes,he sneaked to his safe where he hid their gifts and took them out. He hid them behind him.

"Now open up,open up."

Ella and Precious looked up at their father with huge expectant eyes. But they only turned sad the next moment.

"I'm so sorry sweethearts. I promise to get you all you want once I travel again. Pinky promise?" Eric pleaded with them as he made a sober face.

Ella and Precious looked down sadly.

"Hey,don't look that way sweethearts. Now see. Surprise!ta da!"

"Yeeeeeeeeeeey!"

The girls screamed in excitement.

"Thank you daddy!"

"You are welcome sweethearts and anything for you my babies.Now be good girls and go get ready for school." He kissed them lightly on the cheeks and sent them away for school.

Eric smiled warmly as he ran his hands on his hair. His kids,the ones he believed is his reason for living now. They are his strong hold and the reason he still smile even when he had a hole in his heart which can never be filled.

He had promised himself to love them always,to always put their needs and wants before his.

They make life make meaning to him and only because of them he wakes up each morning strong and ready to conquer anything and do anything for them.

No woman will ever come between them,he thought within himself.

"Hello son."

Mrs Wills said as she walked into Eric's room. She was having a mischievous smile on her face and right away Eric knew she had something up her sleeves and had come for something.

If it's money, wouldn't hesitate to give her except that these days her incessant demand of him finding love again is one thing he wouldn't entertain at that moment.

"Good morning mother. How are you?"

　　"Very well son. How was your trip and meeting. Went well?" She asked as she made for the seat.

"Yes. It went well." Eric answered and gulped down the wate while he waited for her main reason of coming to see him. He was damned sure she was there for something.

"Mom?"

"Huh?" Mrs Wills was startled. Her mind had wandered off. His son,Eric used to be the happiest person she knew until Clara his wife died when Precious was barely three years old and that has completely changed him.

It has been two years since Clara died and yet each time marrying again is brought up to him, he flares up. He had insisted to live the rest of his life caring for his children and wouldn't need any woman in his life again.

But as a mother,she is worried. These kids are girls and would definitely need a mother figure in their lives someday which is sooner than he might even realize and she might not always be there. She is just their grandmother.

"Mr and Mrs Dallas was here while you were away." She said as she searched his eyes for emotions or anything at all.

"Oh! I hope they were treated well?" Eric asked avoiding his mother's gaze. He knew where she was headed and frankly he had no strength to follow her through that path.

"Did they needed anything?" Eric asked in a bid to get the conversation over with.

"Nothing I couldn't give them,except that they would want you to be happy again."

"Mother,I am happy the way I am." He replied without looking at his mother.

"If this state you are is what you call happy,then Eric I want you to be happier."

Eric sighed frustratedly and rubbed his hand on his forehead. He wished he had a way to make his mother end bringing up this topic and also make her stop worrying about him. Maybe there's a way but it obviously was not an option for him.

"Mother. You worry too much. I don't need a wife. I don't need a woman to make me happy. I am happy, Ella and Precious are happy."

"They need a mother figure Eric."

"Mum,you are here. You have been their mother for two years now and they have been perfectly fine." Eric argued.

"It is not the same Eric. You will have to think about this properly. Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes." Mrs Wills said and left giving Eric no chance to continue to disagree with her suggestion.

Eric groaned frustratedly. He hate to see his mother that way but why can't she just understand that he has lost the only love of his life and doesn't want to just pick any woman anywhere to marry.

He is willing to remain a widower all his life. He doesn't want to love anyone neither does he want to be loved by anyone.

If Ella and Precious needs a mother,she is there for them. At least they are not complaining about it.

He quickly went to the bathroom to freshen up. There were tons of work waiting for him at the office.

"Boluwatife!" Tessa screamed at her six years old son.

Lately, he has been a little miscreant on her flesh causing trouble here and there and playing pranks on people. He took after his father,something Tessa hated to admit.

"I'm sorry mum. I was just trying to fix them but then it slipped." Bolu replied making a sorry face. Tessa's weakness. She just can't bear to see her son sad for any reason. She drew him close and hugged him tightly as memories flashed in her head.

**FLASHBACK**

Tessa and Kenny have been dating for two years. Perfect couple in the eyes of the world. Awwwns and ohhhs flew around each time they held hands and walked to anywhere. They were admired and even singles wished to get into a relationship like theirs.

"Hey babe." Tessa said as she walked into Kenny's apartment placing a quick kiss on his cheeks. Kenny won't have that. He drew her back and took her lips in a hot sensual kiss.

He left her breathing hard while displaying a satisfied smirk on his face.

"You pervert! You are so unbelievable!" Tessa muttered after her breathing got steadied.

"I know right."

"Kenny where are we celebrating this year's Valentine's day?" Tessa asked as she watched him take off his clothes ready to get into the bathroom. He stopped in his track a bit surprised but he quickly covered it up.

"Oh. I almost forgot babe but not to worry,I got it all figured out." He winked at Tessa and closed the door behind him.

Tessa got engrossed in her phone and was oblivious of her environment. She didn't notice when Kenny was already done bathing. He was now standing in front of the mirror with only his briefs on. Tessa's eyes widened and her mouth hung open as she admired the most handsome man she had ever seen. She knew he worked out regularly and that he also has cool abs but it was like he got more handsome. His hair was well trimmed and carved. She looked at those abs and felt like running her hands on them at the moment even though it's something she always do while they make out.

"Don't let flies get into your mouth babe. I know I'm handsome." Kenny said startling her a bit in the process.

Tessa's cheeks flushed red in embarrassment.

Tessa scoffed. " You wish."

"I caught you babe."

"Whatever.You are not even fine. I am just helping your life by dating you." She said in a bid to cover up.

"Oh really?" Kenny asked and began walking close to her. He was now standing so close to her that she began to walk back slowly. He in turn continued to get closer until there was no way for Tessa to run again. She closed her eyes tightly as she felt his breathe on her face and his hands caressing her face gently. She wondered why she still felt this way around him even when they have been together for two years. She felt his lips rub against her and she waited patiently for him to take her completely.

was so hot and his teasing was beginning to annoy her.

She squinted her eyes open after she didn't feel him close again.

Kenny who has been watching her facial expression aa he teased her couldn't help but bursted out laughing.

"Fuxk you Kenneth! Come and finish what you started." She dragged him close and crushed her lips against his. It wouldn't be bad for her to take the lead today.

"Stop Tessa. Wait." Kenny said as he freed himself from her grip.

Tessa was a bit embarrassed. She wasn't used to rejection like this, not from Kenny. Could it be that she did anything wrong without knowing it?

"Why?What's wrong?"

"Errrrm nothing babe. It's just that I have an urgent meeting to attend. I need to get dressed. Excuse me" Kenny said and left.

Tessa was left puzzled as she stood rooted to a spot. She couldn't quite put her fingers on it. She tried to make excuses for him in her head as to why he would behave that way but still deep down in her, she felt something was just not right.

"Wakey wakey, sleepy head," Nora sang throwing pillows at Tessa.

"Ohhh noooo. I want to sleep some more," Tessa whined.

"Happy Valentine's day girlfriend. Where's your boo taking you today?" She asked giving finishing touches to her hair.

"Hmm uhm."

"Hmm uhm?" Nora questioned giving Tessa a quizzical look.

"Nora go to work please. We will talk when you get back," Tessa said not wanting to talk about Kenny.

"Alright babes. Bye."

Tessa rolled over to the other side of the bed and dragged her tired body up. She slipped her feet into her flip flops and went into the washroom.

Her initial plan was that she would be working in the morning and would close from work earlier than usual so she could meet with Kenny. It's Valentine's day after all. But now,she doesn't even know if the plan will still hold. She hadn't seen Kenny since after the last time. He doesn't call anymore like he used to. He rarely pick when she calls. When he eventually pick,he usually sounded so urgent and not in the mood.

TESSA'S POINT OF VIEW (FLASHBACK CONT'D)

The last time I saw Kenny was at Kenny's place and he had acted very strange that day. I tried to talk to him about it but he never let me speak nor did he say anything.

In fact, he became distanced towards me. I couldn't understand his reason for avoiding me. I was worried about him,about us. Our relationship was not like how it used to be.

Kenny and I have dated for quite some time. I wouldn't say he has been the best nor will I condemn him. There were days he had his shortcomings and I make excuses for him. I am not perfect after all.

My love for him made me overlook his shortcomings and mistakes. There were days he would shut me out of his life and then come back with some lame excuses which I would overlook. Yeah,that's how much I loved him. I trusted him with everything in me. I never questioned him much because each time I tried,he would see it as nagging which I didn't want. Well, I would just call him and see if he had any plans for is today. I tried his line severally but it was switched up. I gave up and made a mental note to confront him and know exactly where this relationship was headed. I quickly had my bath and headed to my office.

"Morning Fred."

Fred is my colleague. We have been working together since I joined the company. He is cool dude.

"Morning Tess. Happy Valentine's day. I hope you didn't forget my gifts?" Fred asked as he smiled broadly.

"I was just about to ask first," I said and made a sad funny look. That made Fred to chuckle slightly. He is a handsome guy. Once he had asked me out,but I turned him down because I was already in love with Kenny. He respected my decision and we remained friends.

"It's alright Tess. I won't forget your gift."

"Good. See you later then."

I walked to my space and settled in.