Make It Rain

The sun couldn't rise any faster to an already excited Akande Samuel who just couldn't wait to get home. It was the first time he was returning home after eight long years of study in London. He was now a master in the field of Physics and really couldn't wait to celebrate his new achievement with his family.

Even though he might have felt sad leaving some of his good friends behind - some that he might not see again, the joy of going back home and seeing his mum again totally engulfed the little feeling of sorrow he had.

It was already nine thirty in the morning and his flight was meant to take off by twelve at noon. About an hour's drive away from the airport, Samuel knew he had to be quick in packing up so he didn't miss his flight. He got out of the bathroom to his phone ringing.

"Hello mum!" He picked the call with a wide grin.

"Hello dear," Speaking all the way from Nigeria. "Hope you are packed and ready for your flight." His mother said.

"Yes mama!" He said " I am about getting dressed, I will be on my way to the airport now"

"oohh I can't wait to see you mum!" He exclaimed with excitement.

"Me too baby. Alright, I will leave you now." She didn't want to waste much of his time

"I love you Ma'. See you in a bit" he said

"I love you too." She replied, ending the call.

Samuel got off the phone and continued his preparations for his flight back home.

The flight lasted six hours, or a little bit more.

Samuel had finally landed back in Nigeria.

"Ahh" Samuel let out a very gentle breath of satisfaction as he walked out of the plane.

The smell in the air, difference in the temperature, change in the zone, it all amused Samuel. Made him realise he had finally arrive home.

Mr. Peter Ojo, his mother's chauffeur had come to pick him from the airport.

"Good evening sir" Samuel prostrated, showing his respect to the old man.

"Get up my boy. You are all grown up now. How are you?"

Samuel was only about five feet and eight inches tall, but the stature of his body had evolved into a more matured man and his beards more prominent, covering at least a third of his face.

"I am fine thank you sir." He replied with a gentle smile.

"I thought mother would come" Samuel looked around hoping to see his mother around somewhere.

"Let's take you home now" Mr. Peter refused to indulge in that conversation.

"Okay. I understand" Samuel felt a little disappointed not to see his mum.

Ever since his father's death, Mrs. Akande was now the bread winner of their family. She worked very hard to make life as comfortable as possible for Samuel and his younger brother. Her vehement desire to create a very satisfying environment for her kids cost her a lot of time, as she spent more time at work.

"You know... Jimmy's leg is way better now. He plays football in school for his class" Mr. Peter tried to lighten up Samuel's mood a little as they walked to the car.

Jimmy is Samuel's little brother. Eight years back, when Samuel was going abroad for studies. Mr. and Mrs. Akande drove Samuel to the airport, along with Jimmy who was just three years old at the time. On their way back from the airport, after Samuel's plane had taken off, they had a terrible accident which left Mr. Akande dead, Mrs. Akande with a fractured skull and little Jimmy with some broken ribs and vertebrae. Despite Samuel's travel at the time having it's many perks, it always left a bitter taste in his mouth every time he remembered the cost.

But without any doubts, the news of his brother being fully fit again was enough to brighten up his mood.

"Wow, that's so amazing. I can't wait to see the young lad now." Excitement overwhelming his pain. "I hope he still recognises me" Samuel began to stride even faster to the car, hauling his bag behind him.

******************************************

A beautiful orange filled the sky as the setting sun took away the warmth in the air, replacing it with cool uninterrupted breeze.

Shola sat at her desk at work, making documents of things her boss had given her to work on. She was usually the last to leave the office, along with Mrs. Akande who had a higher position at work than her. With no one else to keep them company, the two gradually grew into buddies discussing so many things together.

Aware of Samuel's arrival, Shola was curious as to why Mrs. Akande was still at work that evening.

"What time did you say Samuel's flight was leaving London again?" Shola asked, with her eyes still locked to her screen.

"He should be on his way home by now. He is going to be so mad at me" Mrs. Akande replied, feeling guilty.

"I think you should go early today so you don't miss his arrival at home." Shola turned her seat around, facing Mrs. Akande.

"But that's not possible anymore. My car went to pick him up from the airport and there is no way an Uber would make it in time"

"I can drive you home in my car." Shola offered to help

Mrs. Akande didn't feel comfortable making Shola sacrifice her duty for her;

"No. You have a lot of work to do"

"I insist"

"Shola I really appreciate your help but I can't do this to you. This is my problem, I will handle it okay?" Mrs. Akande rushed off with her heels heavily stumping the floor.

Outside the office, Mrs. Akande felt lighter than usual.

"Tsk! I forgot my bag!" She tapped her forehead. Turning around to Shola standing behind, Mrs. Akande drew a smile.

With Mrs. Akande's bag in her hand, there was no way Shola was going to allow her miss her son's arrival. Not when she could do something about it.

"Please allow me to take you home." She was as persistent as Mrs. Akande was stubborn.

"Oh omo mi. You are blessed!" Mrs. Akande finally conceded to Shola's kindness as she swiftly entered the car.

Their office was only about thirty minutes drive away from Mrs. Akande's house. Compared to Samuel's one hour drive, they were surely going to get home in time.

Always very unfriendly, the traffic made their journey even slower as they made it in fourty-five minutes.

"Thank you very much my child" Mrs. Akande expressed her gratitude to Shola as she got out of the car.

Shola only saw it as her duty to help Mrs. Akande. It had always been like a factory setting for her to assist anybody in need of assistance.

"You are very welcome Ma." She waved Mrs. Akande goodbye as she got into her car. About to pull out her vehicle, a black mini van came parking behind her.

"My baby!!!!" Mrs. Akande ran from her door steps with her hands wide spread.

The headlights of Mrs. Akande's mini van beamed in the night as it pulled over by the drive way.

Samuel stepped out with a bag in his hand and the chauffeur took care of the rest luggage while Mrs. Akande preoccupied Samuel with hugs and kisses of love. It was no surprise, after spending eight years away from her first child there was no telling what she would do when she finally saw him. They both embraced each other.

"I am so sorry for not coming for you myself"

"Come on mum, it's totally fine. What's most important is that I got to see you today"

"And it's all because of one person" Mrs. Akande pointed at Shola who had already gotten out of her car.

"Who...?" Samuel gazed at the very young and beautiful Shola.

Debonair single lady with perfect hips and structure, every woman's dream figure. She was in her mid twenties, only four years younger than Samuel who was already twenty-nine. She had a natural long hair which she braided all the time, and a saccharine sweet smile that always caught men dumbfounded every time they got a sight.

He walked up to her, getting an even clearer view of her charming face than before. Samuel gulped as Shola raised her hand for a shake with her signature smile.

"uhh... thanks" He tried to keep his composure as he shook hands with her.

There was a spark of electricity in her heart when Shola grabbed hold of his warm masculine palm as they both stared at each other. The weather, suddenly colder than before got a lot more windy, causing Shola's face to twitch a little from some sand particles hitting her.

"You are welcome."

"Why does it suddenly feel like it's..."

Shola cut him short

"...about to rain?"

With a flash of light and a terribly loud 'boom', there was a sudden thunder clap as the rain began pouring down aggressively on these two, stuck in each other's gaze.

"Yeah..." Samuel said as they both continued to stare at each other.

The sound of the thunder was loud enough to wake an already asleep Jimmy. Jimmy always loved it when it rained because of the cold that he'd feel and sweet smell of cold dust that came with it. It was all so pleasing to him. Even though it never really ended well for him, he always drew open all his curtains whenever it rained or was about to.

It's about to rain again! He jumped out of his bed in haste, rushing to quickly open the curtains. There was no way he would miss even the tiniest atom sized bit of cold if he was aware of it. He never really cared if his room got all wet. The maid will clean it after all. What a rascal!

There was a short stint of sound, metals rubbing as the rims holding the curtain railed across the curtain rod. Jimmy could see through the window, headlights of a car parked by the drive way in front of their house. His vision was a little blurred by the droplets of water on the window but he could identify his mother wherever he saw her. There was a rush of blood as he felt excited seeing his mother. His tiny feet tapped their ceramic tiled floor as he rushed downstairs to his mother.

He could hurt himself doing that! Like Jimmy cared.

"Mummy!!" He yanked the door open

"Jimmy?!" Samuel exclaimed, letting go of Shola's hand and looking to the door.

Wanting to reach out to him again, Shola stopped herself. What was she thinking? She had only met him for the first time, she couldn't have possibly fallen for him already!

No Shola! Put yourself together! You are a strong independent woman. Even though she felt a spark of electricity the moment she held hands with him.

"Brother Sammy!!" Jimmy suddenly forgot his mum and rushed out to embrace his big brother who in return ran towards him with wide spread arms.

The two grabbed each other as Samuel raised his brother up swiftly

"How are you? Ha! Ha! Ha!" He held Jimmy at chest level, rolling under the rain with a very wide smile anchoring across him face.

"Hehe! Hehe! Hehe!" Jimmy enjoyed playing under the rain.

"Brother did you bring something for me?" Showing Samuel no mercy. Not unusual amongst kids. Presents always being the first thing on their minds when welcoming someone from a journey.

"Of course I did lad! But first, let's get out of the rain. Then I will give you something you never expected" Samuel carried his little brother inside.

He paused for a second at the door, looking back at Shola who stood in the rain smiling at them.

"What are you doing Shola? Let's go inside!" Mrs. Akande ran past her, holding some of Samuel's bags in her hands.

They all rushed out of the rain into the warmth of the Akande family house. It was a very beautiful interior, with sparkling white tiles spread all across the living room and beyond. A huge bright chandelier hanging at the center of the room, casting out colors, glittering in hundreds of different facets. With the brightness of its light filling the four corners of the room whilst emphasizing the beauty of the house.

"Wow!" Shola and Samuel exclaimed simultaneously.

In a short glimpse, she looked at Samuel and pinched herself. Control yourself woman!

Samuel looked at her, noticing she was trying not look at him. Wow! She even looked way better in bright light. Brown-ish long hair. Beautiful dark toned skin. And a slightly long, tasty looking neck. He noticed the wetness of her blouse as it stuck to her skin adamantly, revealing her white laced bra which featured her boobs prominently. 34C probably. Samuel gulped as he gawked at her without even realizing it.

She would probably let him have a taste if he asked politely.

Fat chance!

"Samuel!!! What are you looking at?!" Jimmy folded his hands winking at Samuel with a naughty smirk.

"Go away!"

Jimmy scram laughing audibly.

Samuel cleared his throat. As if there was something to clear

"Let's uhh... Have a seat umm..."

"Adeshola Joel" She smiled as she looked at him with her glimmering hazel colored eyes. Beautiful eyes.

That smile again, and accompanied with her beautiful eyes.

Samuel motioned her to the sitting room

"I am Samuel Akande. Please have a sit"

"Thank you" She sat on the white leather chair. Mrs. Akande must really love white huh?

The material was so thick, yet so soft and comfortable to sit on. Her skirt slid up a little, revealing a portion of her thighs. Samuel's gaze instantly caught it as her thick thighs pressed against the chair. He was probably lucky that his mum decided to send the chauffeur to him or he wouldn't have met this sumptuous thing. What a journey it had been so far.

I should probably control myself before I begin to get turgid and uncomfortable in my pants.

"Oya! Let's be going brother Sammy before you will embarrass me now" Jimmy grabbed and yanked at Samuel's hand.

"Sister I have told mummy to bring something for you to cover your..." Jimmy pointed at her chest.

"Ahh!" Her voice was a high pitch. Her panic underscored by the widening of her eyes and her hands all over her chest. Curse her love for laced bra. She probably wouldn't wear them again after this incident.

"I couldn't find anything that would fit you except for Samuel's old shirt that he wore eight years back. Here, try it on"

"Jimmy told me about your little problem" Mrs. Akande giggled holding her lips as she handed the shirt over with a towel.

"Thank you ma"

"The guest room is upstairs. Around the corner, you can't miss it" Mrs. Akande pointed at the stairway.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Woo! That was pretty refreshing. Shola closed the shower and dried herself with the towel Mrs. Akande gave her, after stepping out of the bathtub. She grabbed her skirt from the hanger in the bathroom and put it back on. Thank God this didn't get soaked up too.

"Tsk! I think I left the shirt in the bedroom" She grabbed the knob of the door about to open it.

"Oi my friend!" That is Samuel's voice!

Who was he talking to? Most importantly, what was he doing in that room? She quickly closed the door, stepping back a little. Isn't this meant to be the guest room? Or did she make a mistake and entered Samuel's room? No! Samuel has probably forgotten, he will soon realise and leave.

"...you got that right mate! Not a single thing changed. My room looks exactly the same. They even left my shirt of eight years back on the bed"

Bam!

"Oh no! I am finished" She let out a quiet mumble, laced with tension.

What would she do now? There was no telling when Samuel was going to leave the room. Or what if he took the shirt out with him?

Okay, worse case scenario I will just put on my blouse again.

Where was her blouse?! She buried her hands in her hair like a person about to lose her mind, realising she dropped it somewhere in the bedroom. Now her heart raced even faster than before. If Samuel saw the blouse then he would suddenly know she was there somewhere, and it would be even more embarrassing for her.

How can I be so careless! She Covered her face with her palms, hoping he won't see her blouse. She peeped and saw he was on the phone.

Probably talking to one of his white friends. At least things couldn't get any worse than this.

You wish!

"...nothing much really. Just about placing my things in the bathroom and heading down for dinner. Mum is cooking my favorite pounded yam and egusi soup!"

She quickly tied the towel around her and slid back into the bathtub, sliding the curtains close. Hoping he wouldn't come in there too, like hoping worked for her before.

"You wouldn't believe what I saw today man! The finest thing to have ever graced the surface of the earth" Okay that made her blush a little, but couldn't relief her situation one bit.

Samuel walked into the bathroom and arranged a couple of things he brought with him. He stood at the mirror as he spoke to his friend.

"Na! Amy was a mistake that was meant to happen. I learned from it. But there is a different vibe to this girl. And damn you had to see her laps and her boobs. I mean, even if nothing happens between us, I hope I get to tap those buttocks at least once"

What?!! What a perv! She sat there boiling in the bathtub

"Aiit mate I have got to go" Samuel cut the call on his way out of the bathroom.

"It's warm in here. Like someone just bath in here" He said in soliloquy, pausing at the door.

On hearing that, Shola's shoulder lifted, tension evident. He was probably going to check if there was someone in his bathtub.

"Brother Sammy! Mummy said you should come and eat." Jimmy the savior

"Oh okay. I will be down in a minute" Seriously?!

"No! Come now" Jimmy pulled Samuel out of the room.

Phew! What a relief. She quickly put on her wet blouse and rushed downstairs.

"Shola come and... Kilode? What is wrong? You did not wear the shirt again?" Mrs. Akande stopped serving her plate of pounded yam

"I really appreciate your hospitality, but I have to leave now" She began to pace towards the door.

"Wait! My daughter what is the problem? The shirt didn't fit you ni?"

She paused, trying to be polite to Mrs. Akande

"No Ma it didn't fit me"

"But it looked like a perfect match"

"Yes I thought the same too. But at times looks can be very deceiving" She glared at Samuel

Mrs. Akande threw looks between Samuel and Shola, unsure of what was happening. Samuel recognised her glare to be a mixture of anger and disappointment. But what did he do?

"I have to go Mrs. Akande. Thank you for your care. Goodnight" She walked out.

"Samuel! What did you do to her?!" Mrs. Akande immediately turned her attention to him

"Wahala tì dé" Jimmy mumbled almost inaudibly. There sure was trouble.

"Nothing oo. I just went up to arrange my stuff nì and came back. I didn't even see her at all"

"You better had not done anything to her!"

"Mummy wallahi I didn't do anything to her" He pointed up while shaking his head in emphasis. His emotional state instantly brought out the Nigerian in him.

The whole incident was immediately forgotten the next morning. Samuel woke up to a note from his mum.

"I prepared your breakfast before leaving for work. I know it's a Saturday, but there are many important things for me to attend to before Monday. I Don't know what time you will see this but if Jimmy is gone before you wake up, then he has gone for football practice. Be sure to pick him up by 1:00pm. The place is opposite your former secondary school, hope you still remember. Be sure to take an umbrella, it's been raining a lot lately. We will spend time together with the lord tomorrow. P.S. check the garage. Love you"

He dropped the note on his bed as he stood to take a shower.

With the lord huh? How does he tell her he no longer believed in a creator? He probably wouldn't. Couldn't afford to ruin the thoughts of his little bro, he would never forgive himself.

Guess I am keeping it to myself after all. He took a quick shower and checked the time.

"Twelve? Man I really slept" Never mind breakfast. Having to see Jimmy play ball was more important to him. He quickly made his way to the garage. To a great surprise, his mum had worked on his power bike. Turned that old junk into something sweet. Paint job, new engine, silencer and a dope ass pair of tires.

"Sweet! Love you too mum"

He opened the garage and looked outside.

"Doesn't look like it will rain anytime soon" He grabbed the keys and mounted that baby. Off to football practice!

This place is really cool. But where is everybody? Samuel walked into the field looking around. He didn't see even a fly pass by. Then suddenly he heard two kids. Sounded like they were fighting.

"Hey!" He shouted with his deep masculine voice, running towards the kids.

Jimmy was fighting another boy. Did Mrs. Akande ever spank this kid? I bet she didn't.

You should know better than this Jimmy. He grabbed the two kids, separating them.

"What is wrong with you?" Throwing looks at them. More at Jimmy.

"Uncle he is the one that looked for my trouble" The other kid pointed at Jimmy with his brows all wrinkled up out of anger

"It's a lie oo. He is the one that started it..."

"Hey! Hey! It's okay! It doesn't matter who started it. Fights are dangerous. Don't fight again" Samuel eased the tension, holding their shoulders.

"Who is coming to get you lad?"

"My name is Emmanuel not lad, and my mummy will come" What a sweet mouth

"Well they better come soon 'cause it's about to rain" He looked up to the sky.

The clouds looked pretty heavy already. What kind of instructor leaves the kids unprotected? I can't leave him here

"Okay let's go sit on the bench and wait for your mum to come"

After a few minutes of sitting, it began to drizzle. They confined themselves in the little shelter above the benches.

"I guess we will wait for the rain. If by then they aren't here, I will take you home myself okay?" The little boy nodded his head with a smile.

The rain didn't look like it was getting any better. Pouring down continuously. The wind carried around the cold. Jimmy of course would love that. There was someone under the rain, holding an umbrella. A feminine structure. Probably Emmanuel's mum.

"Emmanuel!!"

That voice. Samuel strained his eyes trying to see who it was.

"Aunty Shola!" Emmanuel ran under the rain to his aunt

"Where is mummy?"

"She couldn't come. Let's get out of the rain first" She held his hand but he resisted.

"Don't leave my friends, they waited for me" He pointed back at Samuel and Jimmy

Great! It's that cad again. If it weren't for Jimmy, she would have probably left Samuel there. She waved her hand at them to come. Samuel carried Jimmy and ran out to them as they all rushed into Shola's car. A/C tight. It was a new model car. Aren't those meant to be like, expensive? Probably not for Shola.

"Thanks for help us"

"Didn't you come with a vehicle?" Shola had no interest in being formal with him anymore

"A bike"

"Who drives a bike around, wearing a tank top in this season" She was being sassy

"Wait up! What is wrong with you?" Samuel flared up

"What is wrong with me?!"

"Yah! Last night you suddenly went from this amazing las to something else. And now this?!"

"Oh!!! Okay you think your fancy little British accent will shake me. Well you are mistaken mister buttocks tapper!"

With a sudden glare, Samuel immediately knew what she was talking about.

"You were the one in the bathtub" He said under his breath

"Yes" Feeling a little shame.

Samuel suddenly felt ashamed too. If he wasn't a very dark skinned person, his face would have been as red as Shola's painted lips as he blushed out of embarrassment. There was an instant ambiance in the car. Shola looked out through her window, feeling frustrated while Samuel could only look down at his feet.

He knew he had to apologize anyways "I am sorry"

"Hmm. Classic" Shola sassed

"Really. What I did was inexcusably wrong. I really just want to know you"

Shola stayed quiet

"I was trying to blend in. That's not really who I am"

"You shouldn't change yourself for another. You were brought up differently. Think about your background" Shola finally responded, looking at his irresistible puppy dog eyes.

"Be the Samuel that would forget the world the moment he sees his little brother after eight years. The Samuel that doesn't leave another kid all alone under the rain without protection. Be that guy. Not Samuel for the peeps!"

"Thank you for not leaving Emmanuel behind" A slight smile drew across her face.

What a goddess, Shola was born kind and caring. Nothing pleased her more than to see people happy. And she sensed something similar in Samuel, which drew her to him even more. So much more that she could easily forgive him.

"Do I get a do over?"

"Sure"

"Grrrr!" Samuels stomach growled. He hadn't eaten all day.

Shola noticed and reached out for her portable cooler.

"This was meant for work, but I guess I wouldn't be going today anymore" she handed it over to Samuel.

"Thanks" he reached out for the cooler.

His fingers brushed hers and there was that sudden spark of electricity again that went down her loin, making her feet feel so light. Luckily, she was sitting.

She stared at him as he dug into the meal. What was she thinking? She couldn't have possibly stayed away from him for good. They would have eventually met again one way or another, and she couldn't possibly resist his charming looks. She knew it. Those well built arms and chest under that tank top. Neatly shaved beards complimented with a very thick manly voice. And his touch. There was just something about it that she couldn't ignore. He wasn't like other men she had met before.

"Hmm. What were you doing in my bathtub anyways?" Samuel mocked

"Hey!" she slapped his arms as they all laughed in the car, having fun waiting for the rain to stop.

Woo!!! What a day it had been. Shola walked out of the bathroom. She needed a hot bath after all.

Who wouldn't?

She had spent a large portion of her day sitting in an air conditioned car, waiting for the rain to stop.

No matter how much they turned the heat up, it was never enough to compete with mother nature's cool. Sitting there almost all day must have cost her a lot.

I just hope I can cover up today's work after so much lost time.

But it was probably worth it, having to spend so much time with Samuel. She sat on her bed as thoughts of the time they had spent together caused a smile to anchor along her lips. She fell back into her bed with her arms wide spread. Her white towel loosened up, leaving her sexy body scantily clad, but she didn't care. She was all alone in her bedroom after all.

"Ah" she sighed

Was she falling for Samuel already?

Oh such luscious lips he has.

She could stare at them all day, and maybe all night too. After all, she so much enjoyed watching him talk all through the time they spent in her car that she didn't even notice when it had stopped raining.

Curse Jimmy for bringing that to their notice!

And then his arms. Oh God! The way his muscle had flexed every time he raised his hand to emphasize a point. She would have probably held them to see how it felt, if she wasn't so shy.

"Ping!" her phone rung

It was a message from Samuel "Hello bathtub invader"

Shola chuckled without sending a response.

The same ringing sound again. One could easily guess who it was.

"Playing the silence game are we? What do I do to get you talking?" with a thinking emoji attached

Shola read again but was still playing hard to get.

"Hmm... typical feminine response. Silence!" he texted again.

"Hey! That Is so wro..." Shola stopped typing, giving no response again.

"I almost got you to reply there. I guess provoking you is the key. I have just the thing" he sent with a winking emoji

A few seconds later, he sent a picture that Jimmy took, of her picking her nose in the car.

"Mining now are we? Sure hope you found some gold in there!"

That definitely would get her to respond. "Okay that's embarrassing. Lol"

"There we go."

"I thought it was the guest room" she replied to his earlier text justifying her being in his bathroom. Not that she needed to.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"If answering doesn't put me in trouble. Sure!"

She took a deep breath and typed "Who is Amy?"

"Hmm..." a silence that have a thousand meamings

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have asked something so personal so soon" she deleted her previous message

"Church tomorrow. Then I will tell you everything"

"And she blushed" he added.

Like hell she did!

Shola couldn't hide her excitement to see Samuel again, even if it meant going to church which she normally didn't. She was Christian, but wasn't the strongest around.

Enough of the chat. She dropped her phone and begun to get dressed up. Her casual dress code at home, a very comfortable baggy jogger and a slim fitted round neck made of pure cotton. Most times, she never put on a bra when at home, didn't matter if there was a visitor or not. Shola loved her comfort and didn't care what people thought. She only dressed like a proper woman when going out simply to respect her father's wishes.

Being the only born child in the family and with her mother's tragic death during labour, Shola was brought up by her father. She didn't really have any friends growing up except for one person, Seun. Seun was the son of her father's late friend, they more or less considered themselves siblings and did a lot of things together whenever he came around.

"Ko! Ko! Ko!" there was a sudden knock on her door.

"Come in!" Shola put on her shirt

"Good evening Ma. Oga said you should come down for dinner" a young pretty lady walked into her room. She had a smile so friendly as a viper.

"Jumie I am so sorry I couldn't help in the kitchen today" even though Shola was always busy, she always made out time to spend with Jumoke in the kitchen. It became so much of a norm to her that she had probably begun to get obliged.

"No ma. You even need rest sometimes. I see how hard you work." Being so considerate. She knew Shola didn't really need to help her out anyways.

"Please come downstairs" she gave off a gentle smile before she left.

Shola rushed downstairs to the dining room.

Overly eager to spend time with her dad, Mr. Ayomide Joel. They never got so much time to spend together as a family because they were both always busy.

Mr. Joel was a very big and powerful business man in Lagos, probably one of the richest men in the town but wasn't lavish. He founded the company "Shine" a soap producing company which sold millions yearly, generating a huge amount of revenue. He also owned numerous real estate around the country; hotels, estates, even down to hostels for students in their various schools. He owned shares in many other companies around, including the company Shola worked for.

Not that he helped her get a job there though.

Mr. Joel was a very busy and wealthy man. No wonder Shola could afford to drive the newest model of any car she wanted. They only really got time to spend together during weekends at dinner and Shola always made sure she couldn't miss it. Due to his religious nature, he'd invite her a couple of times to join him at church on Sundays but Shola wasn't the most religious person around even though she followed him few times. After he had forced her of course.

"Daddy o!" Shola walked into the dinning room to her dad who waited patiently for her.

"My little champ." Mr. Joel was always so proud of his daughter.

She gave him a kiss on the cheek "Good evening sir" still being formal

"How are you my girl?"

"I am very good!!!"

"I see you are exceedingly happy today. Your smiles reminds me of your mum every time she saw me"

"So why don't you tell me about it Shola" Mr. Joel investigated.

Uh-oh Shola couldn't possibly tell her dad why she was so happy. At least not yet.

"About what sir?" she chose denial

"What is making you so happy ma?" her father put on a knowing smirk.

"uhh... I umm..."

"Ding dong!!!" it was the door bell!

"I will get it!" Shola quickly made her escape.

Phew! Saved by the bell.

Shola opened the door but there was no one behind it.

I could have sworn I heard the bell ring. She stepped out a little, scanning to see if there was anyone around

"And now I am hearing things" she whispered as she turned to go back in.

"ah!" suddenly, someone grabbed her hand pulling her close.

"Boo!"

"Seun! I have told you I don't like frights" Shola complained, pulling herself out of his grip.

"Ha!Ha!Ha! Alright sorry" he apologized

"What are you doing here self?! Be going" Shola folded her hands and looked away

"Oh okay. Bye!"

"Come joor! Shey you don't know play again?" holding his hand

"Why don't you welcome me properly then" Seun spread his arms for a hug.

Shola responded with a very tight hug, making herself comfortable in his arms.

Remember Shola's best friend Seun? Yes, that guy. Adio Oluwaseun, the only guy Shola had ever really trusted in her entire life. Being childhood friends and more or less growing up together, they knew absolutely everything about each other and really loved spending time together. Apart from being just friends, Seun always protected her and took very good care of her when needed.

Due to how safe and free she felt with him, Shola eventually accepted to date him after he had asked about a thousand times. It seemed to be a very beautiful union at first, but didn't end so well. Seun wanted more from their relationship than just goodbye kisses and hugs, he wanted sex. Shola on the other hand didn't feel like she was ready for that at the time. He continually mounted much pressureon her which soon made Shola shy away from the relationship and broke up with him.

He went on to date another person which really disappointed Shola. Nevertheless, she didn't allow it ruin her friendship with him.

"That's much better. Let's go in"

"Yh. Come join us for dinner" Shola welcomed him into the house

"Good evening sir" Seun prostrated to Mr. Joel

"My boy! How are you?"

"Fine thank you sir"

"I hope you are taking good care of your family and business" Ever since Seun's father died, Seun was left in charge of his father's business.

He took care of his mother and other siblings while coping to run his father's business. With some help from Mr. Joel of course.

"Everything is fine sir" unleashing a wide grin

"That's good. Join us!" Mr. Joel pointed to a dinning chair next to him.

"Thank you" Seun sat comfortably

While Mr. Joel and Seun were busy discussing business and other related stuff, Shola was a little preoccupied with her phone.

"I wish you could invite me for dinner" Samuel teased

"It isn't pounded yam and egusi soup" Shola mocked

"Wow! How much of our conversation did you hear?"

"Pretty much everything" she replied with an emoji sticking out its tongue.

"Great! Now we will have to set assault against you"

"You and what army?" Shola jeered

He sent a picture of his biceps fully flexed

"Me and this army" with a smirking emoji. Like he knew she fell for it already.

Which girl doesn't?

Shola blushed and responded

"Not enough" biting a side of her lower lip in anticipation to see what he was going to send next.

His abs? his thick chest? Or everything... Oh how she wished he would send it all. Her breathing got a little faster and her heartbeat warmer. He had read the message but wasn't typing a response.

He went offline! Could this mean he wants to snap the picture? The suspense was killing her. She hadn't even taken a taste of the delicious porridge that Jumoke had prepared.

He is back online! Yes!

"I have never seen you this caught up with your phone before" Seun interrupted her little chat.

"Oh!" she jerked

"It's umm... I... am... watching cat videos" terrible recovery

"I never knew you liked cats" Seun puckered his brow in suspicion.

"What do you know?!" Shola stuck with denial taking a sip of the porridge

"You were too busy with your little girlfriend to have noticed" offensive is better than defensive she has learnt all through her life.

"Ping!" her phone went again.

There was a sudden silence in the dinning room as both Mr. Joel and Seun stared at Shola to see when she would respond to the notification. She could almost feel their eye balls pocking her forehead but continued eating her meal like nothing happened.

"So! Seun how is your girlfriend?" she flustered, trying to divert the attention from herself

"My ex you mean. We broke up a long time ago"

"Oh... sorry to hear."

"Umm... thank you very much for the meal Mr. Joel. I have to head home now" Seun stood with his hands held behind him.

"One more thing Seun. Why don't you take Shola with you to visit your site tomorrow morning. I mean, since she probably won't go to church anyways" Mr. Joel was very fond of the two being together.

"That would be..." Shola interrupted before Seun could show his interest

"No!"

"I uhh... who said I am not going to church?! I will go"

There was a crease between Seun's brows. He knew Shola too well. She had not been herself all night. He knew she was definitely hiding something.

"It's fine. We can meet for lunch later on. Right?"

"Sure!"

"Cool. Uh... Mr. Joel, I will be off now" Seun strode away from the dining table. He was tall and burly, with a very fluid movement.

Shola knew she hadn't behaved like she normally would. Seun would probably be mad at her. She wanted to apologize but couldn't. What was wrong with her? Why was she suddenly ready to sacrifice anything for Samuel.

"Shola" her father tried to talk to her

"Daddy I am sorry. Goodnight" she flustered, running up to her bedroom.

Mr. Joel's eyes fluttered out of confusion. What is wrong with this girl tonight?

She jumped in her bed trying to force herself to sleep. She felt a little ashamed and a little confused too. She just wanted to sleep now. At least that would help her pass time, enough for her to forget the uncomfortable night.

She tossed

She turned

She lay on her back, her side, her stomach

It was useless. Thoughts of Samuel overwhelmed her.

Oh no! I haven't responded his chat!

She unlocked her phone to a picture of Samuel shirtless. Chills all over her body as she fell deeper into his abyss of emotional games.

Oh! Surely I will sleep now. She pressed her phone against her chest with the picture still in display, and closed her eyes to give herself one more shot at sleep.