WHEN THE HEART KNOWS

CHAPTER THREE

Nma woke up; she stared at the brightness outside, she felt so restful and at peace. It’s been a long time she had this blissful and dreamless sleep. She stretched and was startled as she bumped into something. She picked her phone and wondered what it was doing on the bed. Then immediately the recollection of what happened last night started rushing back into her mind. Uche had called her last night to talk her into sleep she recalled, and such wonderful things he had said to her, she smiled dreamily, sitting up and hugging her knee. He was a man every girl would love to fall in love with. Rich, tall, dark and handsome, he also knew how to woo his women.  Though he didn’t strike her as the endearment and flower man, that would soften his hard nature but he had his own way.

Nma laughed at her own stupid thought, and then she glanced at her watch and was surprised it has gone past twelve. Suddenly she stopped as she realized what she had been doing. She was immediately calling herself all sorts of fool.

How could she be having romantic thoughts about a man who acted like he was a cave man? Uche Okoha was not her match. The man thought that all women were his for taking.  He had forced kisses from her. He had ignored her when he wished and sort for her whole attention when it suited him. Surely that kind of a man could only represent trouble. She looked at the picture of Amber the owner of foot and body talk, would she turn tails at the advances of a man like Uche, she wondered. No she thought, Amber has been known to date the finest world class men so Uche would be a piece of cake for her.

There was no need wasting precious time on him, she thought, she wasn’t going to see him ever again. The man was trouble simple and short.

She glanced at her wall clock, exclaimed and jumped out of her bed for a quick shower, after her shower she wore a black jean short and floral blouse, left her face bare of makeup and started towards her studio. She stopped first in her kitchen and made herself a cold cereal. She looked around her kitchen and at the empty pot and cupboards. “I need to go shopping” she muttered, and she also needed to cook. After feeding herself she went into her studio to do what she knew how to do best.

Uche had been reading since the early hours of the morning, trying to read a report. He slept very late after accepting that he was not going to understand what the report was talking about. He dressed slowly, Saturdays were his worst days. He usually went in to the office after spending about one hour in his gym, this daily routine had helped keep him fit, but today was different; all he wanted was a quick swim. He remembered Star and her mission. Now that he was thinking clearly again, he began to worry about the stirrings in the Niger Delta and what it could do to his business. He hoped the government would do something soon but it seemed as if everyone was waiting for the worst to happen. Things were different now, because the youths were now beginning to attack indigenous companies like his. He was going to speak to those at the hem of things, starting with the president. Though he hated that he was going to do it but he was not going to lose a penny over there their negligence. He picked up his phone and punched the number of one his assistants.  He didn’t really need an appointment to see the president, didn’t meddle with politics but as a business man, it was good business move to ensure that favorable policies were put in place. It was easy for him to call his secretary to help get hold of the president or book an appointment because Mr. President’s campaign money came from the Okohas. Just as he was finishing the call, a slight noise sounded at his door and his house keeper’s very shy daughter came, bearing his freshly squeezed orange juice. He told her to place on the table. And turned back to his phone, he watched as the girl left the room. He knew what was wrong with the girl; she was suffering a mighty crush on him. This wasn’t new to him; his last gate man daughter sneaked into his bed once, the saving grace was that he was not sleeping at all when she sneaked in. He had fired the man the next day. A man on the public eye cannot be too careful. He wondered why the cook always sent her daughter to his room first thing in the morning. He made a mental note to speak to her about it. Was she so blind that she couldn’t see the predicament her daughter was facing? That made him remember his mother, his mother would never have sent his sister on this kind of errand. Mothers these days were too careless. He smiled ruefully as a thought occurred to him. Could the silly house keeper be stupid enough to think that he might fancy her daughter? He shook his head and walked over to the table to take sip of the juice. Did she think he was such an ogre that he would fancy a teenager? She knew the kind of women he preferred. He preferred matured and classy women who knew what they wanted and who could take care of themselves. A woman like Nma, a woman who understood the game men and women played. With his will power he blocked her out his mind and pulled a T-shirt on and left the room. Today he was not going to think about her.

Down stairs, just as he was coming down, the house keeper was opening the door for someone. He stopped waiting to see who was being allowed into his house without him being informed. At the back of his mind, he prayed it was not Angela. Then he began to smile when he heard the British accent. Moments later he entered, one of his best friend. Chucks was six feet four, international footballer, born to a Nigerian mother and American father, at least that was what he told everyone. The guy was handsome as the devil and knew it. He was almost as rich as Uche because he had invested wisely by allowing Uche to take care of his fortune while he played ball.

“I hope Uju is not here?” he asked in mock fear as he came forward to hug his friend

“You are safe” Uche laughed. “She should be waking up now beside Charles” they didn’t laugh at that because Eva was like sister to him too and he had felt betrayed too when they found out that Charles was taking more than sisterly interest.

“What are you doing back home, I thought you are playing next week?”

“Nation cup qualifier, we playing Cote d’ Voire and you know we have a score to settle”

“I forgot, so you should be in camp”

He laughed “yes tomorrow morning, I need to see my guys first. Eva thought I could make it to her party but you know how it is”

“Where’s Stanley?”

“In his house I know, probably fornicating with my front desk girl”

“So how come you are the only waking up alone, or is Angela still lounging in bed?

“You couldn’t be more wrong, I am changed man”

They laughed and moved on.

“I called Stanley, he would be here soon”

Uche stopped, “oh!”

“I thought we should sweat it on the pitch, you guys are growing fat sitting around and doing nothing but making billions everyday”

Uche laughed “Why sweat for ninety minutes for billions when I can make them easily sitting behind my desk”

“My sentiments exactly” a voice replied from the door. They turned to see Stanley, he is about six feet two, broadly built and so handsome that it made most girls cry. If Charles was here then they would have been complete. The world saw them as filthy rich young men who do nothing but play girls, had they not dubbed them the notorious four. The four of them together were dangerous, or so Uche’s mother thought. She had watched countless girls make fools of themselves over men who were just having a good time. Today Charles was not with them and no one thought of calling him because they have not totally forgiven him. The four of them had grown up together and Eva was a baby sister they never had, so it was rude shock for them to discover that he was having not so sisterly relationship with her.

“I hope they don’t suspend you for not going straight to camp”

“Camp doesn’t start till tomorrow morning moron” chuck said as the three of them strolled outside to show Chuck some few trick in football.

Much later the three of them are lounging together at the pool side. “The idle world of the rich” Chucks murmured

“After the kind of week I had, I deserve this” Stanley said

“No one is complaining. I heard you are sleeping with front desk girl now Stanley”

I have always preferred them to those high class girls you two are forever dating. At least I can expect her to give me some good home cooked meals and she has time for me.”

“Why do you need her to cook, did your cook quit?” Uche asked puzzled

“I am a man and I need a woman not someone who would be worrying about her finger nails or running to America for some crazy idea or worst someone who is involved in a multi million merger and has no time for me. Like 50 cent I am tired of browsing technology”

“Be careful man once a man starts reasoning like, it becomes easy for one woman to trap him into…”

“Marriage” Uche chorused and they made a shuddering sound at the thought.

“I have come to realize that those who fear marriage the most are the ones who get shackled quickly and easily” Stanley replied.

“Uche, how is Star, now that is the kind of girl a man who wants to stay unshackled should be thinking of”

“Away in Port Harcourt on business”

“My luck” said Chucks and looked at Uche “So are you still with Angela?”

“I was never with her” he smiled as he remembered Nma

“You should have seen the goddess he brought to the party last night; I kept asking myself why I didn’t see her before him”

“Someone I know?”

“Never” they laughed.

“Will I be meeting her before I leave?”

Uche laughed, “She is mine bro, so wipe that smug look from your face”

They laughed and his phone rang. Chucks chuckled

Chuck laughed and got up “how come you two are messing around with new girls and I don’t get to meet them, don’t tell me you don’t trust them?”

“No girl can be trusted to behave herself” laughed Stanley, “Not with you around” and gave him a push into the pool

“We should go out tonight, there is this new place that just opened and everybody is talking about it” A friend said and Nma turned” “count me out” she asked.

“You never go out Nma, so you wouldn’t know but I heard the place is the bomb”

Nma paid little attention to her friends’ idle chatter. They were young, rich and silly. And they did nothing but spend their father’s money. She had come to know most of them as they come into her shop and like always they made friends with her. She was not the going out kind though she had gone to some events because she deemed them necessary. But just going to a joint because of the fun of it was foreign to her

“Say you will come with us Nma” She heard one her friends say. She turned to give an apologetic smile.

“Nma come on say you’ll go, you’ll enjoy it. You’ll meet lots of interesting personalities” it was at the tip of her mouth to say no once more but suddenly she thought against it. She worked too hard, and she deserved a break, she deserved to live and feel even if it was for one night like a carefree twenty six just like her friends. And possibly this was the distraction she needed to avoid thinking about Uche. The stupid man had ignored her again. He hadn’t called her since the mid night call. She was so scared he wouldn't call her any longer.  She knew she didn't behave very well but, suddenly she stopped, catching hold of her thoughts. She couldn’t believe it, what was wrong with her, how could she be harboring such thoughts about Uche Okoha. It shouldn’t matter to her whether he called or not. The truth was she should be glad that he had chosen to end his pursuit of her. Had she not been looking for ways to put an end to the madness that was him?  Feeling stupid she turned to her friends. How could she be missing a brute cave man like Uche Okoha? Hanging out with her friends was all she needed to put him off her mind.

“Okay I’ll go” she agreed.

Arrangements were made; they would be going in two cars that meant she would be leaving her car behind.

With her friends gone to prepare for the evening ahead, she went back to her studio to continue with her work. As usual her work relaxed her. It was hours later that she stood up because she had remembered the evening ahead. Pleased with her progress, she left to find something to eat and later to find something to wear. Knowing her friends, they would all appear in skimpy clothes. She could never bring herself to wear something that left nothing to be imagined. After much confusion in making up her mind, she settled for a black body con gown that clung to her perfect curves. She looked at herself in the mirror, she wasn't impressed. The dress was too plain. She thought of what to do, she then draped a gold chain belt on her hip. She decided against any necklace, she only clasped her wrists with a big gold bangle, slipped her feet into a black high heels sandals and let her golden braids down. With little make up, more of eye shadow, she took her black clutch bag; she nearly grabbed her car keys before she remembered her friends were picking her up. As if on cue, her door bell rang and she left the bedroom.

Like she imagined, they were in their usual flimsy excuse for clothes. She smiled when she remembered they were twenty six and rich without a care in the world. They were not like her who was constantly faced with the weight of keeping her business alive.

The notorious three arrived in three different and very expensive jeeps. Uche was the first one to step out in blue jeans and cream colored blazers, while Chuck wore jeans and a T shirt which did nothing to hide his bulging chest. Stanley was the last to come in jeans and a fitted shirt. As they entered the room, all eyes were trained on them but they walked quietly to a table. “There is nothing terrific about this place” Uche commented looking around.

“It is new that’s what makes it terrific” Stanley said and winked at one of the girls sitting on the table beside them.

“I thought you said you are tired of browsing technology” Chucks commented.

“One can’t help it in the twenty first century” he replied

Before now the patron of the place had recognized the trio and he is commanding the waiters to attend to them specially.

“I am getting bored already” Uche said dryly

“How can you possibly be bored with all these girls around?”

But only Uche knew how that was possible, but he refused to admit it because somehow he was scared. He was fast losing interest in things he used to enjoy all because of one woman and her lack of presence. He was grateful to his friends because their presence took his mind off Nma for the rest of the day. He wondered if he would have sought her out if his friends hadn’t shown up.

“Hey, what are you thinking about, you are missing all the fun” chuck waved his hands in front of him.

Uche wondered what it was he was calling fun. As they were exchanging idle chatter and checking the place out, Nma and her friends entered. Nma took one look at the smoke filled room and knew immediately that she had made a mistake. But her friends seemed to get more excited by the loud music and smell of smoke. But she was already here and there was no way she would turn back without appearing like fool before her friends.

Chucks was the first to see her and kept quiet for a time as if to make sure she wasn’t a figment of his imagination.

“Is she real?” he asked no one in particular. The others turned and he saw her. Uche’s breath caught in his throat. Uche had always known she was very beautiful but tonight she looked like something from the glossy pages.

“Do you know her, does anyone know her?”  Chuck asked with excitement.

Uche laughed as he heard Chucks, slowly he stood up and Chucks looked at him.

“You remembered I said something about a goddess?” Stanley asked and Chuck nodded then he met Stanley eyes as understanding dawned on him.

“No! No! Don’t tell me she is the goddess he brought…”

Stanley began to laugh

“Why are all the good ones taken all the time, she is extra ordinary”

Nma saw him approaching her and all her thought cleared from her mind, her breath caught in throat as she took in every part of him. She thought he looked good in suit but now he looked sexy and very handsome. The blazer fitted his broad shoulders squarely and his silk blue shirt was opened at the neck, giving a view of his tantalizing body. The shirt was not tucked in and yet it didn't hide his very lean waist or the long strong legs beneath the jeans. She couldn't look away. She could only watch helplessly as excitement began to sip into her body. She wasn't aware of the excitement his approach had caused among her friends. They all speculated who he was coming for.

“Oh my God, he is heading this way” one of her friends exclaimed and adjusted her position

“I think he is heading right to our table”

That caused another round of excitement. Nma watched all them with growing annoyance; no wonder the guy was so conceited. Maybe she should just put them out of their misery by telling them he was coming for her. Maybe she should have told them of her date with him, that would have saved the kind of animosity she was sure might develop later. Girls are very petty and something as simple as this could develop from petty jealousy to life battle. But then whatever animosity that would result from this was not her problem now, her problem was approaching her table with a knowing glint in his eyes. Nma wanted to run but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She took a deep breath and swallowed hard, trying to think of what to say to him but she found her mind blank and bereft of all coherent thought. It was by miracle she was able to answer him when he said hello. Her friends turned surprised when they realized that he was referring to Nma.

“What a surprise, I didn't know you came to places like this” he could have kicked himself, what type of stupidity was wrong with him. What sort of thing was that to say to a lady?

“The same goes for you Uche, I just heard about the place and decided to check it out”

She smiled at him.

“I hope you wouldn't mind joining my table”

Nma smiled sweetly at him because she had the perfect excuse for turning him down

“I would have loved to but I am with my friends, it would be totally rude”

Uche regarded her friends. “But I wasn't suggesting you leave them, the invitation is for all of you. My table is not particularly empty”

Nma panicked the instant she saw the footballer sitting on his table and she knew her friends would definitely agree.  Nma looked at Uche with anger, the man knew what he was doing, he knew the likes of her friends very well and he knew that they would never turn down such invitation.

“So what do you say ladies?”

Within moments, she her two friends had transferred to Uche’s table.  Introductions were made, she couldn’t stand the blatant flirtation of her friends any longer, and she longed for escape. She longed for the peace and quiet of her home. She wished she never came in the first place. She smiled as one of Uche’s friends put a question to her. It was the one called Stanley, the guy was smooth and suave and he knew it, she had watched him play flirtatious game with her friends like they practiced it. Well she thought when you flirted a lot, you would know the game so well, didn’t they say practice makes perfect. She watched knowing that her friends were going to let these men take them home tonight, it was a mistake waiting to happen and she was powerless to do anything about it.  The girls were totally foolish to think that they would be more than a one night stand to these guys, who reeked with wealth and affluence.

“Uche told me you own a designer range”

She smiled at him and she watched with satisfaction as the smile she gave him affected him. That should put him in his place. Not a bad place judging from the fact he was a billionaire.

“Yes I do Nma collections”

“You have future plans, looking for investors?”

“Are you going to shut or do you want me to do the honors?” Uche said to Stanley

Nma looked at Uche, surprised at the way he snapped at his friends but Stanley seemed very amused by his angry outburst. And he said nothing more but turned to his partner.

But no one was more surprised than Uche about his outburst. He had grown tired and too jealous of his friends ogling her even though they had two pretty girls between them.

“You are not drinking, your cup is still full” Nma didn’t think he would notice. She didn’t take alcohol socially or otherwise, whenever she was at a place where she had no choice, she left her glass the way it was hoping nobody would notice.

“I don’t drink” she said to him

He looked surprised, “you don’t look the type”

“What type do I look like?”

Uche smiled, “Your friends don’t seem to share your belief, do they?”

Nma knew that some of them had refilled their cups severally.

“I am not like them, I am sorry to say”

“Birds of the same feather”

“I guess this is one time that saying doesn’t apply”

“You don’t seem to be having a great time here”

“If I tell you that this is not my favorite pass time, you would quote birds of the same feather again”

“No I wouldn’t honey”

Her breath caught her throat at the endearment; she tried not to read too much into it, men like Uche found the use endearments very easy.

“What would you do then?”

He smiled, Nma looked at the smile suspiciously, and he smiled like a trickster whose potential victim had succumbed to his charm.

“What do you say; we leave this place to another which would suit the both of us well?”

“What place would that be” she asked him

“You choose” he threw it back at her.

Nma saw it as an opportunity to go home, she didn’t come with her car and if there was a chance that he would take her home, she wouldn’t mind at all.

“I would actually like to go home, if you don’t mind. I didn’t come with my car”

He smiled. “Done already, let’s go” he stood up and they made their excuses. The speed at which he agreed alarmed her, the smug smile on his face was not comforting at all. She hoped he was actually going to take her home and not play some trick on her. But the man didn’t look that desperate that he would play such a dirty trick, and for what, she asked herself confused; he only needed to snap his fingers and girls would come running to him.

With that conviction she sat beside Uche in his Hummer jeep, she watched in awe the comfort he surrounded himself with. Boys to men, I’ll make love to you wafted from the car CD player. At that moment the height of his wealth dawned on her, she wondered what exactly he wanted from her. At first he had said he wasn’t interested in a whirlwind romance with her but with each passing minute she questioned if he was totally honest about what he wanted from her. Right now it didn’t take a genius to know that the man was attracted to her, she couldn’t help asking why. She was going to be careful with him, though she was very attracted to him yet she knew that there was no future with him. And she was not going to be another one of his conquest. She wasn’t that kind of a girl, was that not the reason why she had not allowed any kind of intimacy in her relationship with the opposite sex. She felt that intimacy in a relationship was not the evidence of love but it was an act of love. So no matter how much pressure she had received from her teeming admirers, she had not shifted from her principles. And Uche was not going to become an exception. Even though he was quite close to tempting her to give in and if there was a man alive she wanted to know intimately it was him. But she was not going to because she was different. She was not like her friends and he was not going to make any mistake about that.

“You have grown very quiet”

“I am enjoying the music”

She didn’t realize her mistake till he spoke again.

“You are better off enjoying the real thing than a couple promises over the stereo”

Nma knew that if she was a white woman, she would have blushed to the roots of her hair.

“That wasn’t what I meant” she tried to make amends.

“I don’t see anything wrong with a woman who enjoys her own sexuality”

She kept quiet because she didn’t know what else to say. She didn’t think it was wise discussing such intimate matters with him. Already the love songs coming from the CD player and the multiple lights from the numerous buttons in the car had created a very romantic mood. She could feel herself basking in the quiet promises of the artiste. She wished she had not asked him for a ride home because right then the niggling thought returned and she wasn’t sure anymore of what would happen when they got to her house and she wasn’t sure if she had the energy and good sense to do the right thing.

“So what does your fiancé think of you going out alone?”

That brought her back to earth, she could have kissed him for bringing Ken up, and it brought her back to reality.

“I was hardly alone” she replied him.

“Same difference, he wasn’t there”

“Ken is not the possessive type and he trusts me”

“When you are mine, I would never let you out in the night alone or with some couple of girls too foolish for their own good”

“When I am yours? That is rich”

“Trust me babe, I always get what I want”

“Stop talking to me like I am some piece of property you want to acquire!”

He laughed “Tell me are you not tempted just a little to find out what it would feel like”

She turned sharply at him “To be owned by you?”

He laughed “Not as a property, but as a lover” he said the last word so caressingly and she actually felt herself being tempted. But good sense prevailed.

“No! I am not because I am not interested in playing some rich man’s Barbie doll”

He laughed again “I like you, I like being with you honey and I know you do too, only that you are too arrogant and proud to admit it”

“Better arrogance than stupidity”

“No wonder Ken is besotted, but I wonder how a man like Ken can begin to cope with a fire brand like you. You need a real man, one who doesn’t sit at your bark”

“Are you suggesting I am intimidating?”

“For some limbless man like Ken yes you would be”

He stopped the car in front of her house, and turned to her. He stared at her, wishing he could take her home but at the same time knowing the time was not right. He hadn’t seduced her enough.

Nma became a little fidgety, she was nervous and confused about her feelings, and she couldn’t believe that she was disappointed that their evening had come to an end. She wanted to prolong it by all means but she wasn’t sure how.

“Well, thank you for bringing me home” she said and tried to distract her jumping nerve by reaching for the door.

“It was the least I could do” he leaned forward and kissed her. She melted into his body; and became giddy with the potent male scent that was naturally his. Her hands circled his neck of their volition, she could feel her heart pounding on her chest and she wondered if he could hear it.  She felt her toes curl with a feeling she had never experienced before.

Uche had kissed several women in the past that he thought all women were the same. Here he was being proved wrong in the hands of another woman. He had never wanted a woman as much as he wanted her. He had never given this much to a woman before. He had never felt like he couldn't get close enough to a woman. He wanted to go on kissing her. He wanted to have her in his hands forever. He wished that it was possible to have her like this forever. Shocked at his thought, he slowly released her; he could feel fear sip into his body. He didn't want to have that kind of feeling for a woman. He didn’t want to be emotionally dependent on a woman again. He had to leave, he had to get away from her before he made a promise he would never keep. He smiled at her and even smiled with an arrogant male satisfaction when he saw that she was quite unsettled by his kiss.

“Good night” he said to as he pressed a button to unlock the car.

“Good night” she replied and quietly left the car. He watched as she unlocked the door and walked in. When the lights came on, he reversed and drove home. Half happy and half sad he was well aware that no promise was made. She had wished him good night but to him it was goodbye, what he wanted was an affair but in his mind he knew that a woman like Nma meant deeper commitment. He was not ready for that.

Nma watched him drive away and she felt her heart sink because she realized that she only wished him good night but he acted like he wished her good bye. She sank to the nearest seat and had the greatest urge to cry.

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CHAPTER TWO

Nma stared at him unbelievably. She couldn’t believe it, it was as if the man was following her deliberately, that or fate was calling a tune for them to dance willingly or not. She thought momentarily.

“Hello” she smiled coolly. “In what way may I help you?” she asked in a businesslike manner.

“Actually I need a tux”

“Well that’s no problem, but how did you know I work here, I could have been a customer” asked Nma suspiciously

She saw the man’s smile broaden knowingly. “I have learnt to trust my instincts, and it rarely fails me”

Nma was held spellbound by his smile. It was such a nice smile that brought out dimples on his cheeks it did things to her insides she couldn’t begin to describe.

“Very well then, I’ll just drop these” she said, gesturing at the bag she was carrying.

He watched her walk away and admiring the sway of her hips. He watched her open the door and caught a glimpse of Felix and before he knew what he was doing he followed her. He was going to find out what the man meant to her and who he was to her. How many boyfriends could one girl have? He asked himself hardly trying to get a hold on his fast rising temper.

Nma walked briskly back to Felix’s office, all the time being aware that the man was looking at her, watching her every movement, thereby making her nervous and conscious..

She was thankful when she got to Felix’s office. She opened the door and found Felix and his wife in each other’s arms.

“Oh don’t mind me, you can go ahead and kiss” she smiled at them, going over the table to drop her bag.

“Did you decide against taking that home?” Felix asked.

“No, I didn’t but someone needs my help to choose a tuxedo” she answered.

“Hmm! That person must have a very good taste for choosing you among the entire sales girl he saw there” Tessy commented

“I’ll give you three guesses” Nma said to Felix

“Right now my mind is too muddled to think straight” Felix said. Nma laughed, if she was ever going to get married, she would make sure the man loved her like Felix did Tessy. The couple only had to look at each other to want to be in each other’s arms even after years of marriage.

“Ok, I will help you out, the gentleman who was standing around this morning” she laughed

“Run along and help him, I just hope he buys this time.”

“I wonder why you are in such a hurry to see me leave this room” Nma said knowingly.

“Would you please get out of here and let me kiss my husband” Tessy said, smiling.

Nma laughed and started towards the door, as she opened it and stepped out, she bumped into the stranger. Hastily, she closed the door, before looking up into his eyes.

She saw in his eyes the disapproval of what he saw going on inside Felix’s office and she resented him for that, wondering what business of his it was.

“This way” she muttered. Trying to smile, after all he was a customer, and if she played her cards well, he could become a lucrative one.

“Are those your workers?” he asked as he followed her

“Felix works here, and Tessy is his wife” she answered, before she realized what he asked.

“My workers?” she asked.

“I hope my instinct didn’t let me down for the first time” he asked.

Nma gave him a hard stare and started to move

“So do you allow that sort of thing in your working environment?”

“What sort of thing do you mean?”

“Cuddling and necking in the office during office hours”

“Look” Nma began stiffly; “It is none of your business alright, your only business here is to buy if you want to and pay” she said and regretted it immediately, what was wrong with her? She would have fired any sales girl who dared to talk to her customers this way and now she was doing it. It wasn’t her fault that the man was infuriating, she rationalized. Who did he think he was, what right had he to question her about her work ethics. Calm down she warned herself.

“Touché, the perfect business woman, is this how you talk to all your customers, haven’t you ever heard the slogan that customers are always right”

“Felix and Tessy are family and they love each other very well” she answered mildly, trying to make up for her earlier outburst.

“They have other places more convenient to show that to each other”

“What exactly did you come here for, to buy a jacket or to lecture me on how to handle my workers?” Nma asked furiously. She could feel her temper returning.

“So far on office ethics, now to buy a tux”

“What type exactly do you have in mind?” Nma asked switching back to her business tone.

 “It is my sister’s engagement party, she wants everything formal” he almost whined.

 Nma looked at him, staring at his suit. How could someone who wore suit so naturally prefer not to like it?

The man caught her looking at his suit and explained. “Actually, I have to confess I’m dying to get it off.”

“You can’t possibly be a police man?” Nma asked jokingly. “You know policemen are rather known for their poor taste for formal wears”

The man laughed. It was a pleasing throaty sound she wondered why she was noticing

“No I’m not”

“We better get a suit then”

Nma walked to the rack and pushed through the suits. She brought out a tux which she was sure was going to do magic on his chocolate complexion, at first she thought he was dark, but being near him, she was sure, he was a bit fair.

“This I believe will work magic on your body” She told him, extracting the jacket from the rack. Without shame and to Nma embarrassment, the man began to remove his jacket.

“We have a changing room, you know” she told him mockingly.

“I know” he smiled. “I wasn’t going to remove everything and stand natural in front of you. Only the jacket, I need a second opinion. Besides this place is hidden from the rest of the room” He explained.

“There is a mirror in the changing room and you can always change there and come out in it for my opinion” she told him exasperated. Before she could finish what she was saying the jacket was off, his fitted shirt clung to his muscular body and assaulting her senses with big and broad shoulders, wide and muscled chest, flat and hard stomach that would make any A list actor very jealous. Knowing that people could come upon them, she dragged him and matched towards the changing room.

In a hurry to get the man inside the room, she found herself inside with him. The place was built to accommodate at least two people but not with someone his size, she thought as she tried to leave. But the infuriating man caught hold of her arm. Uche smiled as he held her, he had accomplished what he set out to do, rattling her. Now she was not going to forget him in a hurry. That sounded so conceited but he didn’t mind as long as the end justified the means. He looked her over and felt the jolt of electricity he didn’t expect and he stared her at astonished.

“This was exactly what I’m trying to explain to you, this place is too small for two people, He said mockingly, releasing her.

Nma staggered out of the room. The man was stark raving mad, she thought. He was just a cave man in suit, no wonder he didn’t feel comfortable in it.  She knew right from the first moment she saw him that there was something roguish about him. She was sure it was that same thing that gave him a feeling of recklessness when he was confined, especially in a suit and maybe a changing room, she thought restlessly as she waited for him to come out. “But he was so big” she exclaimed inwardly, and muscular too. She wondered what he did for a living. Maybe he was an athlete or something similar, she couldn’t just picture him behind a desk. He would find the confinement too much for his sanity, she thought. Then shocked at what she was thinking. What was wrong with her, how could she be mooning over a man she barely knew, she thought trying to banish him from her mind.

What business of hers was it, if he was a mountain climber? She scolded herself. She looked around, looking for another thing to occupy her mind before he came out. Then she realized how quite closeted they were from the others in the boutique. The room was L shaped and they were at the tail end. And the huge pillar in the centre of the room didn’t help matters. The room was divided into several compartments for different kinds of clothing. The casuals were the first thing you would see when come in, she also had traditional wears of all kinds. The evening attires were the last of all. She smiled proud for what she had accomplished so far and by the grace of God she was going to accomplish more. She looked around for the man and wondered what was delaying him? She had a mind of going to find out but her body reacted excitedly at that thought and that stopped her short. She looked at herself like she was seeing herself for the first time. She didn’t know she was capable of such wicked thoughts. She could feel fear and excitement and hated herself for it.  She saw him coming out and waited for him with a plastic smile on her face.

“So?” she raised her eyebrow at him.

“It is okay, it’s not my party, and I don’t have to steal the shine from my brother in law to be”

“You are going to, even without trying” she said silently.

“Is there some other thing you want?” she smiled sweetly, the business woman again.

“We have real good silk business suit and morning suit, I’m sure they’ll look good on you”

“Actually there is one more thing I need, to be completely ready for tonight” he started.

“What would that be? There is a nice bola hat that goes nicely with that tux” she offered.

He smiled at her and shook his head negatively at her offer “What I need is date” he said firmly

Nma was caught off guard and speechless. “A date?” she asked. Now she was sure, the man was stark raving mad. How in this world did he think she ran that kind of agency?

“Yes, a date. I was given an ultimatum to bring a date tonight”

“I’m sure that wont be a problem, you can just go to dear old diary or phone book and look up an old friend” she laughed

“I don’t have anything like that, where I write down names of women I could hook up with anytime” he said.

“Well, I don’t think I can help you, we don’t run that kind of agency here” she said. Then it dawned on her that this could be his way of asking her out, she hissed silently, she would have to be a mad woman to agree to go on a date with him, she thought. This man wasn’t her kind and no matter how tempting he was, she was not going anywhere with him. Meanwhile her heart jumped in anticipation. She wondered if she was right about what she was thinking he had in mind.

“Oh! I think you can, I’m asking you to be my date tonight”

Nma wasn’t shocked; she had known that was where he was going all along, but the shocking part was how she felt about it. She was trying to calm her jumping heart that had already said yes. And was already imagining what it would be like to spend real time with this exciting man. She had to scold herself before she could answer him.

“Sorry I can’t possibly accept, I’m sure finding a date wouldn’t pose a big problem. As you are driving out, look for pretty girls waiting to have fun, if you become that desperate” she said.

“Getting a date is not a problem for me”

“I can imagine” she said silently. Not with a body and face like that and she was very sure the man was rich by all indication.

“But the girl I want to accompany me tonight is you” he said charmingly.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you again, but I just can’t go out with you.” she said firmly. She could hear her heart calling her a thousand different names for trying to deprive it of the company of this man.

“You do have other plans already?” he asked.

“You are right, I do” she answered dismissively, walking away.

He caught her by the arm and turned her to face him. “Cancel it, he is not worth it, even me from afar could see that”

She became real upset at his arrogance. She was trying desperately to calm her temper and she was failing miserably  “what makes you think that…, or just because most woman might give their right hand to go out with you doesn’t mean this woman would, and for your information nosey, Ken is worth hundred times more than you do” Nma said heatedly.

“Then why are you scared, or are you afraid that some hours in my company would make you see how much he is lacking.” He said coolly.

“You are impossible. I’m not going anywhere with you, just get that into your brain”

“Do you think I’m asking you out to start a whirl wind romance? Now I know where you are mistaken but going out with me is for your own good, you are good in what you do and accompanying me to the party would give you connections you won’t get in a decade. It will be a free advertisement for you”

“Just who do you think you are?” Nma asked icily

“Uche Okoha.” He said with pride and arrogance.

Okoha! She thought. Why would any Okoha be wearing Nma, where are the Armani and Valentino’s of this world she thought frantically. Okay he was right, his mother owned one of the first class boutiques in the world, and just imagine Nma sold alongside Dior… but that chance was gone, she had already spoilt it, there was no way she was going to turn around now and say yes, not after all she had said, she thought regretfully.

Not letting her inner turmoil show on her face as her father taught her. She looked up at him to find him looking at her rather strangely, not with satisfaction as she had thought he would.

“I guessed as much” she murmured. “I am not going anywhere with you, Okoha or not. I have a trailer load of work to do at home” she said firmly.

“I’m a busy man too, but sometime you’ve got to take a deep breathe and enjoy what you’ve accomplished” he said smiling.

He too was confused, he expected her to change her mind and say yes at the mention of his surname and the opportunity his mother’s boutique could offer her. Did he judge her wrongly? He asked himself, the girl he had been watching for a while would do anything to climb the next step in the ladder. She could be pretending, he thought and wondered why the thought seemed to annoy him.

“Come on, I promise you’ll enjoy it, I may even come in and help if the work is too much” he joked.

Nma couldn’t resist laughing, she imagined him with scissors, cutting or sewing a material in her small studio, that was if the place could take his size.

“So it is a yes, I’ll pick you up by eight o” clock prompt, no African time” he said patting her shoulder

He was gone before she had the chance to tell him again that she was not going anywhere with him. “I’m not going anywhere with this arrogant pig headed man” she willed herself to say.

She walked back into Felix’s office feeling incompetent; first she wasn’t able to convince ken she was not going to ever marry him. Again she wasn’t able to convince a complete stranger that she was not going out with him, she thought. She wondered if she was really shrewd enough for business.

She opened Felix office and found him alone.

“I was beginning to think you gave him a tour of the boutique instead” he joked.

“The man turned out to be an enigma, he was very difficult” she waved it aside. “Has Tessy gone?” she asked picking up her bag.

“You look unwell or did he upset you?” Felix asked

“He is Uche Okoha and I’m wondering why he decided to shop at Nma” Nma said.

“You have to give yourself some credit, Nma is very reputable and probably the best in the country”

“He asked me to accompany him to his sister’s engagement party” Nma pointed out, hoping Felix would see the connection she was making.

“Whoa, that is an opportunity you know, his mother is, well owns one of the best boutiques around. You could get an introduction”

“I wasn’t thinking of going, I have a lot of work to do”

“Better for you go, you have thought of ways to move Nma higher, this is an opportunity, not to talk of the guests who might start shopping here” Felix admonished.

“Well, it is an opportunity, I agree but…”

she didn’t finish it, but there was something about the man that made her want to turn tails and start running for her dear life, or in this case her dear heart. That brought her down to earth, as she scolded her recently wandering mind.

“I’ll think about it though” she added.

“There is nothing to think about, this is an opportunity we cannot pass by, and unless it’s the man you are accompanying that is bothering you”

Nma hastily denied that the man was bothering her, knowing Felix he would be adding two and two and getting five.

“I’ll see you in the evening tomorrow if I go, I’ll use the whole of the next day making up for what ever time I loose tonight” she said, going towards the door.

“Wear something breathtaking, it will do the magic, even if no one introduces you” Felix advised laughing.

“Trust me to knock ‘em all out” she beamed at him as she closed the door.

She found it difficult concentrating as she drove home. She could not make up her mind about the man. Common sense told her to go but she couldn’t bring herself to accept. She could take it as a working night, she decided and considered it. And use the night to do some serious networking with the rich. The Okohas have been rated as the richest in the ccontinent and Uche Okoha sat at the head of the rich vast empire since his father retired. So everyone who would be at the party could be useful to her. If they don’t end up as customers, they could end up as sponsors. She made up her mind to go. It was a good business move.  Yet her heart was beating frantically and she didn’t know if it was from fear or excitement. But didn’t they say fear is a form of excitement. Most girls would give their right hand to be with him, to be seen with him. He was every girl’s dream come true, how she wished she was one of those girls who thought looks and money were all they needed. She has been brought up to believe that self respect was better. Had she not worked hard at being independent so she would not depend on men? But this was different she thought, she was not running after the man, neither was she going out with him for his money or looks, rather she was going to use this opportunity to get to know the right people for her business. Mrs. Okoha was one of such people and she hoped she would impress the woman tonight. Happy that she had resolved the problem, she was going to the party to impress the mother and not the son she turned her mind to more practical matters. What was she going to wear? Now that was another dilemma. She had a closet full enchanting clothes but choosing the right one would be a big problem she thought, seeing no way to resolve this she decided to wait till she got home.

Uche relaxed at his balcony overlooking the beach, he has been working steadily for a couple of hours so he guessed he deserved a little reprieve to stretch his legs and look at the wonderful view. A smile of satisfaction was playing at the corners of his mouth. He didn’t even deny that the fact that he was going to have his first date with Hazel eyes was responsible for his satisfaction. He glanced at his Rolex and saw that he had little time to get ready for his first date with the witch. He turned around to get a quick shower but stopped. Did he stare longer at the bed or was it his imagination. He shook his head in self pity. He hadn’t gotten the girl yet and he was picturing the two of them between the sheets. He laughed and pulled the T shirt off his head. He wasn’t going to deny that he was going out of mind wanting her, and if it was possible tonight, he scolded himself at the thought. When did he become this shallow? Behaving like a teenager who had just had his first promise of the forbidden. He laughed and walked into the bathroom. Well at least Eva would be happy, she was getting what she wanted, she wanted a new girl in his life and she had gotten it. The problem still remained, what was he going to do with Angela? The girl acted like a psycho, was she possessed? She conveniently forgot that he didn’t make any promises to her. He thanked his lucky stars she was not going to be there tonight.

Meanwhile back in her house Nma went to the studio first and dropped her baggage. She glanced at her watch and realized she had barely an hour and half to get ready, she thought as she headed to the bathroom. As she turned the knob she remembered that she didn’t give him her address nor did he demand for it. He acted like he already knew her place very well, she thought shocked as she opened her door and collapsed on the bed. The thing was he acted like he knew a lot about her, her name, her work and even about Ken. “How come” she asked herself? Had he been monitoring her or asking questions about her, but why? She reasoned. She didn’t mean anything to him at all; she didn’t know anything about him but was written in magazines and newspapers.

Okoha was a name she saw in the dailies or magazine or heard over the radio and TV. He didn’t mean anything to her. So why would he waste his time digging about her. Surely Uche Okoha, the heir to the vast empire wouldn’t waste time doing all that, she thought. And surely wouldn’t waste time asking any woman out like he did her. Women were always swimming around him, falling over themselves to get his attention. Was he really Uche Okoha or any Okoha for that matter, or was this just a trap? She asked herself tentatively. She would have been a fool if she didn’t consider that fact, there were crooks was everywhere and the most annoying of them all were the local ones who beguiled innocent people and defrauded of them of their money. Well if the man was after her money, he was in for a terrible disappointment. But she doubted the man would be a fraudster. He didn’t have the look of it. The man looked wealthy enough to be Uche Okoha and he certainly looked handsome enough. She was probably the only girl on earth who wouldn’t recognize Uche Okoha. She never really cared until now, now that the man was confronting her. If this was confrontation she thought, she wasn’t complaining. She only wished that he would turn out to be who said he was and not some fraudster after her money.

“This is ridiculous” she told herself, standing up to undress. When did she become such a coward? This was a challenge, she told herself and she thrived on challenges. This was an opportunity to take Nma higher and that had always been her prime goal. She was more than willing to risk tonight for that purpose. She might not now understand his interest in her.  He said he was not asking her out to start an affair with her, which meant he was not interested in her as a woman. The thought met with a little disappointment. This was the first time in her entire life a man didn’t find her interesting enough. Men were always after her, she had never for once lacked date or an admirer, they were always there, if not interested in her then they would be in her business? She almost laughed her head off. What interest would Uche Okoha have in a business as meager as hers? Compared to his vast empire hers was a little anthill. Getting hold of her thoughts, she marched into the closet to scan for what to wear.

In her closet hung many enchanting evening gowns, She pushed through them one by one deciding against most of them, then she got to the last gown and stopped.

“No” she muttered, I can’t possibly wear this” she protested, already she had extracted the gown and was inspecting it. “This is too much” she said. But she had never won any battle against wearing a beautiful dress. Nma carried the dress to the mirror and placed it in front of her. it was a green Grecian gown with wide neck and short puff sleeves, the gown clung to her upper body emphasizing her very tiny waist then fished out at her ankles “This is overdressing, come on I’m not the celebrant” she told herself in another attempt to keep the exquisite dress down. Running her fingers through the soft and smooth material, she couldn’t put it back, not when she was already thinking of how she would look in it. This gown she had designed for herself for a friend’s party, but she had found it too dressy for the occasion and had decided against wearing it. But tonight she was going to wear it and knock all those rich ladies out of their minds that they would start screaming Nma the next day, she dreamed. And Uche Okoha, she thought.  He asked for a date right? Well tonight he had bitten more than he can chew. She thought, making up her mind to wear the gown and damn the consequences. She laid the dress on the bed and went into the bathroom to have a shower. She would have loved to soak herself in the scented water, but there was no time for that. A glance at her watch told her she was running late, so she settled for a quick shower. Nma sat on the stool in front of her mirror and applied her makeup carefully not wanting any flaw tonight. Then she got into the dress and stood in front of her mirror and zipped the dress, it clung to her waist, emphasizing how tiny her waist was. She did a twirl in front of the mirror and held her breathe as her dress whirled around her, swaying at her ankles. She then braided her hair and piled it up in a perfect chignon, slipping her slender feet into high heel sandals. She took another look at herself in the mirror before going to her drawer to find a white glove that will fit the exquisite gown. Then she walked majestically into the living room to await her handsome stranger. This must be was exactly how Cinderella must have felt when she met her prince charming, she thought. Only that she was not about to meet her prince charming, though he could be described as that judging from his looks only. At few minutes to eight, she was sitting in her living room waiting for him to come while her mind jostled between his coming or not. She wondered how it would feel like if he didn’t come, she would just walk back into her bedroom feeling dejected. Maybe he had found someone else to accompany him, like the elegant woman he had lunch with this afternoon. Why didn’t he ask the woman instead, the thought occurred to her? Anyway he didn’t say he couldn’t find anybody to ask out, but he did say the woman he wanted was her. That should answer her question, she assured herself. Again she wondered if the woman would be at the party. She hoped she was not the type that could create ugly scenes, the thought alarmed her. Anyway there might not be anything serious between them since he asked her out. She thought.

At eight o” clock she went back into the room to check herself in the mirror once again. She looked at her bare neck and considered wearing something; she wore no jewel on it. Her only jewels were her gold and diamond stud earring that was given to her by Ken for Christmas.

Deciding against any other jewelry, she left the room, as she entered the living room she heard a knock on the door and her heart skipped a beat in anticipation but stilling her emotions she went to open the door for him.

She opened the door and stepped back to allow him come in.

“Whoa! He exclaimed, did your fairy god mother visit you?” he asked jokingly

“Yes, you are right she did” she laughed.

“You look enchanting, did you design this?” he asked

“Yes, and you’re not looking half as bad, the jacket is becoming on you” she complimented sincerely. He looked real stunning in the tux.

Uche chuckled in his deep voice,

Nma was mesmerized at his deep throaty chuckle. “We’ should get going” she said, trying to distract her errant mind and also because her living room had become too tiny with him inside it  he was just too close to her excited body for comfort.

“Shall we?” he said, courteously indicating the door.

Nma picked up her wrap and purse and followed him. They stepped out into the cool air and she shivered, wondering if it was the cold or because of this creature walking beside her.

Nma was taken aback by the huge limousine packed outside and a chauffeur was already opening the door for them. Well she expected nothing less from Uche Okoha, he would go anywhere in style including a family party. She thought.

The chauffeur closed the door behind them and walked to the driver’s door.

Nma looked around in excitement at the spacious interior of the car, and the cream leather bucket cushion.

“This is very comfortable” she murmured under her breathe

“Did you say something?” Uche asked.

“I said it is comfortable here” she answered.

She noticed the satisfied look on his face and wondered what gave him the satisfaction. Was it the fact that he succeeded in getting her to accompany him tonight or was life just too comfortable for him to worry about anything? She thought.

“Yes it is, I find it more comfortable moving around in this car than any other car”

“Even in the heavy traffic?” Nma asked

“This town can be very discouraging for that” he answered. “Moreover, I also like to drive myself in the afternoon; I get too impatient with the drivers driving too slow when sharp move could have gotten us out of traffic

 “Was that how you found out where I live and other things about me?” she asked sarcastically.

“I made it my business to know about you” he said innocently

“Is that how you pursue your women, by digging about them?”

“Pursue is not exactly the word I would use”

“What would you call it then?”

“I saw one beautiful woman and decided to get to know her and how beautiful she really is”

“To know if she was good enough for Uche Okoha?” she retorted sharply. “What a fool I’ve been” she said silently.

“Spoiling for trouble, are you?” he mocked.

“I don’t like it, knowing you’ve been digging into my private life and finding out things you have no right to know”

“The deed has already been done; don’t let it spoil this night”

Nma’s anger wasn’t spent yet, and she was dying in the frustrating silence. He was right, she shouldn’t spoil the night, but the night has already been spoilt for she wasn’t in that good spirit anymore, not when she kept asking herself what she was doing with this stranger.

“You’ve gone very quiet, are you still angry with me?”

“I was not angry with you, just disgusted at your audacity” she retorted.

“Good, because we will soon be there” he answered smiling.

“Where is the party taking place, in your family house?” she asked. She had heard so much about their family house and what its worth.

“Yes it’s taking place in my parent’s house” he answered.

Nma watched the splendid environment in awe, from the lighted fountain to the glistering courtyard. Even as they walked she couldn’t help looking around the compound, the house itself was something out of a fairy tale, and it was something that could put the ancient Grecian castles to shame. It stood there proud, a modern day castle.

“Oh, this is lovely” Nma cried excitedly as she walked beside him.

Uche smiled in satisfaction over her excitement and drew her close to him.

In that split second Nma forgot he was a stranger, she felt she had known him all her life and that he was her prince charming leading her to his castle. She relaxed, enjoying the powerful male strength of the hard body and strong hands that held her tiny waist. Dreamily she closed her eyes and sighed blissfully. “This is life” she said silently, refusing to listen to warning voice inside her head, telling her that it won’t last. It was the truth, it would not last, but she wanted to enjoy it while it lasted. She thought happily.

Suddenly they stopped and Nma saw a woman standing at the door, beaming at Uche.

“Now I was thinking you would dare miss it” the woman cued.

“No way kid, now why would I want to dare the temper of a fiery dragoness” he laughed, grabbing the girl and kissing her.

Nma saw what Uche would have looked like had he been a female. The only difference was that the girl’s features were softer and lacked the hard lines of Uche’s.

“I want you to meet someone” Uche began, cutting into Nma’s thoughts as he drew her nearer to him and in the circle. This is a friend of mine Nma, CEO of NMA collections, and this is my sister Uju, the celebrant.

The girl brought out her hand and shook hers coolly. “Please I’m Eva not Uju” she corrected. “This man would never get that into his head” she smiled.

Nma smiled knowingly and wondered if anybody could get anything into his head.

“Did you design this?” she asked coolly.

“Yes I did,” Nma answered, not missing the note of suspicion in the girl’s voice and it surprised her.

“The party is almost half gone darling, leave your brother alone” a man admonished, coming to join them.

“Now where did you find this goddess?”

The man Nma came to know as Charles laughed with Uche who was going to become his brother in law. Nma liked him immediately he seemed so jovial and free unlike his fiancée who seemed suspicious of her. She dismissed it from her mind.

Just then they moved alongs, going into the party proper. Uche led her through the stairs and when they got to the landing, she saw about a hundred guests mingling below, all in different, glittering, eye catching attire.

“Well this is it” he laughed. “Nervous?” he asked. “No, you shouldn’t be but they are so haughty and proud but then you are who you are and I chose you.” he said as they began the descent.

Nma didn’t understand what he meant and she didn’t dwell on it, because she was trying to be careful of her dress so she wouldn’t trip. She looked up as she felt a kind of calmness from the people below, and it was as if everybody was looking at them. She wondered what it was they were staring at; it wasn’t as if the host and hostess were coming down. What she didn’t know nor did she see was what lovely plus romantic picture they made or how lovely and innocent she looked in her Grecian dress. Moreover she wasn’t just with any body but with Uche Okoha, the most sought after bachelor both by daughters and their match making mamas and if she had looked well enough she would have seen that part of the silence that descended on everybody was envy.

Nma couldn’t possibly remember all the names of the people she has been introduced to, her brain was reeling with different names and faces. She couldn’t believe the blatant coldness of some of the women and their outrageous flirtation with Uche.

The men were good, very good; they complimented her beauty and jokingly asked Uche where he found her. She was yet to meet his parents though, and she was looking forward to meeting them.

“Look, my parents” he shouted so Nma could hear him over the music.

Nma stared at his parents; his mother took her by surprise, she wasn’t tall as she expected, and she had a figure that could compete with a model’s.

“Is that your mum?” she asked in awe. Looking at the woman, she wore an ankle length figure hugging gown that was glistering with stones.

“Surprised, she won’t get fat that is her slogan” he replied, leading her to meet them.

Nma’s gaze moved from his mother to his father, this was where he got his height and his looks.

“Well, if this is not my son” his mother said

“Good evening mum” he smiled, kissing her cheeks lingeringly

“Dad”

“Who is this angel with you?” his father asked.

“Oh, this is Nma” he introduced.

Nma was surprised when the man enfolded her in a bear hug and the woman shook her hands suspiciously.

“What do you do Nma?” the woman asked coolly.

“I am a designer, you may have heard of NMA collections” she replied coolly.

“Not that I can I remember, how long have you been in the business?”

“I can’t really remember, you see I inherited it from my father, so I can say twenty years”

“You don’t look that old”

“I have been designing since I was a baby”

“Did you design what you are wearing?

“Yes I did”

“It is nice” she complimented.

“Thank you”

“So where did you find this son of mine?” his father asked

“In my boutique, he came to buy a tux” she beamed at him.

“A tux, Uche” his mother looked alarmed.

“Well a man has got to have an excuse for wandering in a boutique” he joked.

“So are you wearing her design?” the father joked.

“Yes he is” Nma agreed.

“Angela has been looking for you, I thought you were supposed to bring her?” his mother changed the topic

“Did she tell you that” Uche asked coldly

“Well that was the original plan as I heard this afternoon”

“Sorry to disappoint the two of you mum, but that wasn’t the plan.”

“I am most disappointed in you Uche, the girl was shattered”

“Cut that out mum, I didn’t come here to hear you preach your golden girl, and besides I brought someone else incase you haven’t noticed” he said firmly.

Nma was surprised at the way he talked to his mum, and at the same time happy to see the woman put in her place.

And who was this Angela she wondered, but she didn’t have to wonder for long.

“Here comes the golden girl” his father said.

Nma turned immediately and her eyes widened at the girl, she was the same girl he was with this afternoon. She was indeed a very beautiful girl.

“Uche darling, I thought you were not coming” she cued, coming towards then with open arms to embrace Uche.

Nma wondered what Uche’s reaction would be, the way he scolded his mum told her he would shun her but the look on his face said another.

Nma watched with growing annoyance as the girl fell into Uche’s arms and he kissed her two cheeks. It was just an ordinary kiss but Nma felt there was more to the kiss than met the eyes. Uche disengaged himself from her and turned to Nma. “Meet Nma of Nma collections” Uche said, drawing her nearer to him.

“And I’m Angela, a very close friend of Uche” Angela said before Uche could introduce.

Nma smiled and shook the girls hand coolly.

Angela wore a silver spaghetti gown and her hair was cut short and sprayed red. She could do well as a model Nma thought.

“So Uche why did you not come for me, I had to call dad at the last minute to pick me” Angela pouted, backing Nma and making a perfect demarcation, Nma was suddenly alone. She could only watch them with dismay.

“I don’t recall asking to wait for me” he smiled.

“Oh, but you did” she insisted

“So my dear” Uche’s father turned to her.

Nma gave him a brilliant smile, trying to ignore the fact that Uche seemed to have abandoned her.

“Tell me a little about you” he said and Nma willingly followed him as he put some space between them and his family.

“There is really nothing to tell” she smiled

“Tell me the little there is” he insisted.

“Like I told your wife, I’ve been designing all my life; I don’t have the memory when I really started. My father is the founder of Nma and he died ten years ago and left it in the hands of a friend till I became eighteen, now I own Nma and just trying my best to live up to the dream we had” she shut up when she felt she was talking too much. It was so easy to talk to the man.

“Does it still hurt? Your father’s death”

“It does sometimes, I can never forget him, he was my hero, my role model, and he taught me everything I know.” She answered almost reverently.

“It’s a great pity and difficult to loose a loved one, but surely your mother was there to help you”

“Oh, I have no memory of her” she said floppily.

 “You must be very intelligent to handle the business of your father alone”.

“My father always made me to understand that it was my business also, so he showed me the ropes early” she said and glanced at Uche and saw he was coming towards them with Angela.

“I can’t believe my dad is stealing my girl” Uche joked coming towards them.

“I wish I could son, but I don’t want to break your heart”

“Who is talking about breaking a heart, she can’t break Uche’s heart” Angela put in quickly.

“I’m an old man; I see things before it happens”

“Uche was telling me what you do” Angela said almost coldly.

“Did you design this?”

“Yes I did” Nma answered.

“Don’t you think it is out of fashion?” she asked haughtily.

Nma took a deep breath; she realized she couldn’t let the girl get away with such degrading remark. 

“Actually considering the fact that fashion designers like me control fashion and trends, let’s just say I’ve brought this one back in vogue and soon people will go mad for it.”  Nma answered smiling quickly.

She was happy with the reaction on the girl’s face; her mouth was almost hanging open.

“I can’t believe this, mum, dad, Uche all at one place, when you’re supposed to disperse and play the perfect host” Uche’s sister cried coming towards them.

“Hush Eva, you are making a spectacle of yourself” Mrs. Okoha rebuked mildly.

Shortly she drifted out to other group.

“Count me out sis, this is not my scene” Uche told her

“Oh! Sorry I forgot, not when you have two girls fighting over themselves to get your attention, that is more your scene” Eva said, giving both Nma and Angela a cold stare each and walked away.

“Well dear, you can’t have your brother’s attention all your life, I thought you have realized that, hence you are getting married, you can hardly marry him” Angela shot back.

“neither can you, I mean following him around the globe and putting yourself in front of hm at all times wont get you a marriage license, nor will it get you what you crave most, becoming Mrs. Okoha, grow up and be sensible” Eva said walking away.

Nma felt insulted and embarrassed and as Uche followed her sister to scold her, she turned away, meaning to go out to the garden she had noticed earlier. She was so angry, she had never been this insulted in her life, and especially over a man she had no interest in whatsoever. She fumed inside. How dare the haughty girl classify her among those fighting to get her brother’s attention? If only she knew the kind of trick her brother had to apply to get her to accompany him to this stupid party. Filled with Proud, haughty, rude, arrogant, high necked and so full of themselves, She fumed. She didn’t look where she was going, she was so hurt and angry and she felt she should leave this place and go home; only that she didn’t come with her car, she hated to ask the pig-headed man to take her home. His sister could have him, she could even break her engagement and marry her brother, she couldn’t care less or better the proud and beautiful Angela could have him for keeps. And they would make a perfect couple. Angela with her equal haughtiness would match the Okoha clan and more. Besides his mother seemed to like her and Uche was obviously attracted to her. The little gesture of Angela leaning on him or touching him didn’t seem to repulse him. The way he charged after his sister when she insulted Angela was another proof of his feeling her. She wondered why he brought her to this party instead of Angela; after all he took her out to lunch this afternoon or was he some kind of womanizer?

Suddenly she bumped into someone and was brought back to earth.

“I’m sorry” she apologized to the young man she had just bumped into. She had been introduced to the man but she couldn’t recall what his name was.

“Hey, you don’t have to apologize; I’ve been waiting to speak with you since I was introduced to you” the man who she then classified as a young boy said almost shyly.

“Really?” Nma smiled sweetly.

“Would you like to dance, this song is my favorite” he smiled at her as she consented eagerly. She hoped the action would tell the conceited Eva and Angela that she couldn’t careless about Uche.

Gingerly she followed the man who said his name was Kola to the dance floor.

Uncaringly she danced with the man who was equally a good dancer like her.

Nma became carefree and was switching partners at will and laughing easily. Once she had searched for Uche and he was no where in sight including Angela. She concluded that he must be out somewhere cooling off with Angela. Feeling like a fool, she concentrated all her attention on her partner. Uche could burn to ashes for all she cared, she thought.

Kola led her out of the dance floor when she was tired, but as they were going to sit down, they nearly bumped into Uche and he shot out his hands and grabbed her hands “I’ll have my girl back now” he said to Kola coolly.

“I am not your girl” Nma shot back meaning to follow Kola but Kola had already cowered away leaving her with the formidable man.

“I knew you would sparkle tonight, but you didn’t have to do it by encouraging young Kola” he said angrily.

“I’m surprised you noticed, I thought you had your hands full” she said sarcastically.

“what is that supposed to mean?” he asked in a raised voice

Nma looked about self consciously to see if people heard him. “Thank God for the loud music” she said silently.

“If you want to rant and rave like mother hen, maybe I should remind you that I’m not one of your off springs and I can do and act exactly how I want with anybody I choose” she told him icily.

“True enough but tonight you are with me and you will have no other attention but mine tonight” he said, slowly and firmly.

Nma opened her mouth and closed it again for no word came out, she was short of speech, and she glared at him hard. “you’re impossible, conceited, you think I’m Angela who would give her two eyes to have your attention, if you think that, you have another think coming” Nma said angrily, meaning to walk out on him, but his hold on her arms were too strong.

“Hey, I’m very serious”

She stopped struggling and looked at him meaning to glare him into releasing her hands. That had always worked for her. But that was a mistake because in that moment she found his gaze so powerful that time stood still and place became lost to her, she became deaf to all the noise in the room and became lost in the whirlpool that was his eyes. Now freed from her inhibitions, she imagined how those lips would feel like. When he drew her nearer, she had no resistance left.

Then he kissed her. What started as a deliberate plan to subdue her to his power turned around on him and he became the subdued. Uche was shocked; no woman has ever affected him this way. In that moment he knew he would never get enough of her, but he was too engrossed to be frightened by that thought as he would have been if he was with his senses. Forgetting where they were, he drew her closer to him. Never had he given a woman this much.

She could feel her resistance melting away, it was a like a million stars exploding all over her head, leaving her eager and willing to return his kiss. Nma forgot where she was in that time, she felt like they were slow dancing somewhere in space, floating around the billions of stars. She didn’t have much experience with kissing but she knew that no other man’s kiss would ever make her feel like this way. Suddenly he released her.

“Now” he began breathlessly. He still couldn’t believe what had just happened

Nma nearly fell but he steadied her, she was still trying to come to terms with what had just happened to her.

“…Only my attention tonight… not a mere boy’s” Uche said trying hard to sound normal, now he wanted her, having kissed her and knowing the taste of her, he wasn’t sure how long he could wait

Nma eyes widened, she couldn’t comprehend what was happening or when the table changed. Where was the man who said he wasn’t interested in her as a woman? She thought confused.

“For your information” she began, searching her mind for what she could say to put him in his place. Then she remembered Ken and latched on the idea “Ken is my fiancé and I’m going to marry him, I think both of us should have that in mind” she whispered, shaken at his audacity and authority he thought he had over her emotions.

“Then he is in for a good fight because he would have to get through me to claim you”

“I’ll not stay here and listen to you talk like a mad man” she spoke angrily. “Because that is what you are, a mad man” Nma said walking away, but he tightened his hold.

“Could you do a mad man the honor of dancing with him” he said mockingly.

“I will have to be a mad woman to consent” she hissed

“There is one thing you forgot though, a mad man doesn’t need your consent” with that he dragged her to the dance-floor where the number playing was a slow one; she had no choice to follow so they wouldn’t make a scene.

Nma refused to relax on his body, she stayed rigid and on alert, because she has found out that her body seemed to have a will of its own and could betray her at any minute.

“Relax; I won’t bite you, not in front of all these people”

“That doesn’t mean you don’t bite” she replied.

He laughed softly and Nma felt the hair on her body standing on ends. “Not you, I wont bite you, only those who might stop me from having you and I have a feeling they are many” he mocked.

You wouldn’t know where to start counting, so give it up.”

“I’m a one man squad and I don’t give up until I get what I want” he said drawing her nearer to him and immediately she leaped back, not wanting unnecessary contact with him.

“Not even when the object of battle doesn’t want you?” she asked.

“The object sure wants me, but she doesn’t know it yet but I’ll find a way to make her realize the truth”

“You mean under duress?”

“All is fair in love and war”

She decided to keep quiet because the more she talked the more her temper rose. It was a mistake though, because the moment had she kept quiet, her body began to relax and to become conscious of the man she was dancing with. She began to respond and the tension began to leave her body. Nma tried her best to call back her spent anger, willing her body to remain rigid and alert but she soon concluded that her body had a will of their own. Her hands have found his neck of their own accord, she was lost, it was as if she was falling into an abyss that had no end and there was nothing she could hold on to. Just as she was loosing herself in the bliss it wanted, the music ended. Uche released her slowly and led her to a seat. His father was about to give a speech. As he began, he thanked the guest for coming, introduced the engaged couples and he asked the floor be officially opened by the couple.

The couple danced to the rhythm of endless love by Mariah Carey and Luther Van dross.

“Romantic” Nma sighed.

“I was thinking along that line, I’m a little surprised that little Uju is getting married” Uche declared.

“They look so beautiful together”

“I don’t see any reason why we can’t join them”

“No we can’t?” Nma glared at him

“Why not?”  He started to lead her to the floor.

“We shouldn’t, this is a special moment for them” Nma pointed out. But inside her, she was thrilled at the murmur of approval that rang through the crowd. And she relaxed and began to enjoy herself. Shortly they switched partners and she was dancing with Charles while Uche danced with his sister, and others joined them on the floor.

“I’m sorry for Eva’s hostilities Uche told me” Charles surprised her by saying.

“You don’t have to apologize, I have already forgotten about that.”

“She is very possessive of her brother and at times I don’t blame her” Charles continued.

“Sometimes it could be unhealthy, especially if she clashed with the wrong person” Nma said, willing the man to talk, she was sure that he was going to reveal something about Uche that could help enlighten her perception of him.

“Well it is not without a cause, he has been really hurt before, his fiancée eloped with one of his white business partners, since then Eva feels she should protect him from women especially the likes of Angela”

“But he is old enough to learn from his mistakes, I mean there is nothing Eva can do if he decides he wants to marry Angela” Nma said, digging for more information.

“Now we are rest assured he won’t marry her, having met you” Charles announced.

“You can’t be serious, there is nothing between us. I’ve only known him for just a few hours” Nma laughed.

“The way he looks at you and the way his eyes follows you about is a sound proof that there is a developing warmth, and you can’t say you don’t feel the same way too because I have been watching you too”

“You are such a romantic, no wonder Eva fell for you” she joked “I’m not developing any interest in Uche, the few hours I’ve known him have not been all that pleasant”

“Don’t worry, behind all those tough exterior is a kind and gentle heart” Charles said

Nma smiled, wondering if that could be true that the ruthless man could have a tender heart. She thought it was impossible.

“Have you known him for long?”

“We grew up together, his father and mine were good friends, Eva was just a tomboy then” he laughed. “Life”, he mused. “she was so stubborn, I never knew that one day that she would become my wife, I traveled abroad to study law, when I  came back Eva had become a very beautiful teenager, I’ll bet I fell for her then.”

Nma wasn’t exactly satisfied with his answer but she decided not to probe.

When Uche came to her side again, they went to the buffet table. The table was rich in assorted kinds of food and she didn’t know which one to choose from, but Uche made it easy for her by filling her plate with something. She didn’t really care what she ate, she was happy that Uche was giving her his full attention now and he seemed to have stopped antagonizing her. He was trying to charm her and he was succeeding.

When they finished eating she excused herself and went to the ladies.

She wanted to turn and flee when she saw Angela repairing her make-up. Nma gathered all her wits about her and walked in with confidence.

As soon as she got to the mirror Angela snapped her compact shut.

“From which dirty slum did he pick you?” she hissed

“Are you talking to me?” Nma smiled.

“You very well know that I am” she shot back

“Then I would like to tell you that he didn’t pick me from any slum, he came to my office to beg me to accompany him tonight” she said sweetly and snapped open her compact.

“Don’t make the mistake of reading too much into that because Uche and I are inseparable” she said coldly.

“The evidence is clear, I could see how he never left your side, I’m sure he thought you were the only one in the house tonight”

“You think you are wise” she gave Nma her full attention “but he is only a man, he will take what you generously offer but it will soon tire him. There have been other girls like you who thought they could hold him too, but there is only me for him. For he always comes back. When whatever he feels for you is outlived, he will come home to me. Be wise and run while you still can” Angela warned and with that she left, banging the door behind her.

Nma heaved a sigh of relief and started repairing her make-up; she couldn’t believe all the insult she was getting because of one man. A man she had no interest in, she closed her compact and walked towards the door, but stopped, taking a moment to control her emotions and plaster a smile on her face. Then she turned the knob and walked out.

Nma saw Eva standing as if she was waiting for her; she decided to avoid her not wanting another load of insults, to her surprise the other girl smiled at her.

“Hello, I was just waiting to talk to you” she smiled.

Nma smiled back waiting to hear what the girl had to say.

“I’m sorry for being rude to you, not that I was addressing you, Angela just pisses me off, and I just categorized you with her, but Uche straightened things out for me, in fact we can have lunch one of these days.” Eva smiled.

“I’m sorry too, I wasn’t friendly either. And there is no reason why we can’t meet for lunch” Nma answered smiling.

“Great, see more of you”

Then it occurred to Nma that she wanted to know what Uche told her. She turned back to the girl “I wonder what Uche told you”

The girl hesitated and gave her a full smile “let’s just hope he is right”

Nma knew she would never get the girl to say more. She knew the girl was being deliberately evasive and she decided to leave it at that, she could ask her brother later.  But she asked about another thing she was curious about “Will you apologize to Angela too?”

“No way, I will never, no matter what Charles and Uche thinks, I only did this because I was told the truth.”

Nma couldn’t take anymore, she had to know what Uche told her, and just as she was going to ask her what she meant by the truth, she was called away by one of her guest and immediately Uche was by her side with his charms and she forgot to ask him what she told her sister.

The rest of the evening passed blissfully with Uche showering her with his whole attention and charming her with easy grace and ardor, showing possessiveness that annoyed her sometimes. She felt almost at home with his family, excluding his mum, who was more concerned with her golden girl Angela and she always tried to bring her up in every conversation. Nma wondered how any mother would want Angela as a daughter in law, while most mothers prayed against such. She didn’t seem to care about her presence or that Uche chose not to bring Angela for obvious reasons which were glaring. Nma laughed at the whole irony of all these, she actually came to the party to impress Uche’s mother, and make a good business partner. How was she supposed to know that the woman was such a snob and that she would hate her at first sight?

Maybe the woman would get her wish because even though Uche brought her to the party, Angela left no stone unturned in making sure that everybody saw that she would make a better wife and hostess for Uche. She was openly hostile to Nma but in Eva she met her match, the girl gave out in large doses sarcasm as much as she received. Nma thought it all was funny though. Uche’s father found humor in it too. And he didn’t forget to give Nma a knowing look, each time Uche jumped to her defense. This made her nervous and she wanted to know exactly what Uche told his family about her.

After a while the older ones started leaving, leaving the younger ones to party on.

“I think its time I take you home, all these excitement are beginning to tire you, your eyes are drooping” Uche said.

Nma was about to deny she wasn’t tired when she yawned.

“See, that’s evidence” Uche said jovially, “Go get your wrap” he ordered.

Nma hurried off, it was time she left anyway, if she wanted to get any work done by tomorrow.

Back in the limo and gliding through the now silent streets, where the street lights were the only indication of habitation, a thought occurred to Nma; she turned and faced Uche who was relaxing quietly. He has been quiet since they got into the car. His eyes were even closed.

“What did you tell your family about us?”

“My family, I told them a lot of things which particular one?” he asked tiredly without opening his eyes.

“You told Eva something that made her warm up towards me”

“I know I ordered her to apologize to you and Angela” he answered without changing his position.

Nma was getting angry with his obvious reluctance in answering her question. She felt he knew exactly what she was asking but was merely avoiding to answer her.

“Well what ever you told her, she wasn’t convinced” Nma said firmly.

“What is it about this, why is it so important” he asked heaving a sigh.

Nma pitied him, he looked tired. He didn’t need all these questions, probably he had forgotten. But then she was curious and felt that what ever made Eva change her opinion must be something interesting and something she might not like.

“I just want to know that’s all”

“I told her to be friendly with you since it was her idea I bring someone else to her party and that she might be seeing you for a pretty long time because I have decided I want you”

“Why would you say that, you hardly know me and you know I will soon be married” she said angrily

“But you are not married yet are you?”

“I hope you are not so twisted to think I might have whirl wind affair you with before my marriage” she sparked

“But you are so tempted. You can’t punish your self by resisting because I have kissed you and I know you feel something for me"

“Yes very deep hatred.”

“Better hatred than nothing”

“You have a way of turning whatever I say to suit you”

Uche laughed softly. “I count all my trials as joy that’s all”

Nma heaved a sigh of relief when the limo glided to a stop; she gathered her things and waited for the door to be opened.

Uche walked with her to her door and stood as she unlocked her door, Nma unlocked the door and entered meaning to say a quiet good night to him with him outside. She was very glad that the disastrous night has come to an end. She would rather be struck dead than experience this kind of outing again. But he held the door

Uche was a bit disappointed that the evening has come to an end; this was not the end he envisioned at all. But he was a man who knew when to cut his losses but first of all there was one thing he needed from her to get through the night.

“You don’t want to go in without a good night kiss”

“Sorry, but I don’t want to kiss you for any reason” she answered alarmed

“But every lady expects it from a gentleman”

“You are hardly a gentle man” she smiled at him

“Thanks for reminding me” and dragged her to him. “I shouldn’t have bothered asking” His lips descended on her as she opened her mouth to protest, he ceased that as an opportunity to deepen the kiss.

Just as before her resistance didn’t last long and she soon found herself enjoying and responding to the kiss? It was as if she had no control of her body, that it didn’t belong to her anymore. Uche broke the kiss with an obvious reluctance. “Good night and sweet dreams” he said softly.

As shaken as she was, she managed to say a good night and softly closed her door.

She collapsed on one of the arm chair, removed her shoes and smoothed her legs on the rug.

“What a night” she exclaimed, tiredly yawning. “I can’t believe what is happening to my life” she muttered. Suddenly her life had taken another turn. A very dramatic one and she wondered if drastic didn’t suit the situation better. It could be described as such if she allowed it, if she played along with it then she was certainly be plunging into a hill, but she would not allow it she concluded.

As far she was concerned this was the last time she was going to see him, she vowed silently.

With that she got up, carrying her sandals and heading towards the room.

Quietly she got ready for bed, willing her mind not to dwell on Uche, willing it to forget the dark handsome man even as the thoughts of him tried to invade her mind.

Just as she lay down, the phone rang. She reluctantly picked it up.

“Hello” she spoke into the phone.

“Hello” a deep baritone voice answered.

Nma knew at once that it was Uche calling and a shiver that was becoming quite familiar ran down her spine.

“What do you want?” she asked curtly

“Are you in bed?” he asked

“I was trying to get some sleep before your call disturbed me”

“Then let me talk you back to sleep, just close your eyes and listen” Uche spoke quietly.

“Please” Nma drawled “I don’t need a bed time story, I’m not a kid”

“You think I’ve not noticed that, just the thought of that alone is driving me crazy”

“Uche if you don’t mind, I need to get some sleep because I need to get up very early”

“Then close those enchanting eyes and listen, you will be asleep in a minute. Do you know that it was those eyes of yours that got me looking in the first place and they still drive me insane, you are the most adorable woman I have ever met?”

The tone and sound of his voice plus what he said was already luring her into sleep”

“Really?” she murmured dreamily.

“The way you carry yourself, now that I’ve come close to you, you enchant me more with your fiery dragoness nature, you are not a pliant like others”

Nma had already gone to sleep with a smile on her lips and the phone in her hand”

When he could hear only silence from the other end, he whispered “Sweet dreams sweetheart” dropped his phone and smiled contentedly, he was making an impact and he knew it.

He laid back on his bed, and then he wondered why he had called her. He wondered if he was not loosing his mind. All he wanted was a little piece of her but the way he was handling it, it looked as if he was going for happily ever after. He shuddered at the thought of living in bondage that was the exact way he saw marriage. He knew that one day he would have to get married but when the time came; he would make sure it would be more of a business arrangement than a love match. This was not because he didn’t believe in love, he did. But he had learnt long ago that all women were not like his mother, with a big heart and loved everyone especially his father. He knew from first hand experience that women these days were incapable of such deep feeling. So he must be careful with the fiery eyed witch. She was the kind of woman that had the power to bewitch a man till he forgot all but her. He decided to watch his steps and to be careful so he would avoid falling into a spell where there could be no return. All he wanted was her body, and she had more advantage because she was exactly the show piece girl friend a man in his position needed. Yes she was the kind of woman a man would want to seen around with, she would make him the envy of his friends. She was articulate and classy. Possibly he was not wrong when he told Eva to show her some respect. He sighed, and turned over to his stomach. Then he realized what he was doing, here he was lying awake, thinking of her after telling himself he wanted nothing from her but an exciting affair. He didn’t waste time thinking about his other women and Nma was not going to become an exception. With that thought he closed his eyes and tried to force himself to sleep.

The one who stalked watched angrily wishing, wishing to could get hands on the woman who he was talking to. Reached out to touch him but stopped fearing rejection, there was still time, time enough to win his love and then touching him wouldn't be a problem.