Eli's wife 12

  The talk show with Charles went just as Eli guessed it. The guest who was also a journalist made Charles look bad. He made his story look like an unwarranted attack at the President. Charles did look bad. He in no way saw it coming and ended up fumbling all over the place.  

 The next day Charles was all over the papers. His disgrace was printed for the whole country to see. Sena smiled when she saw the papers. She was on her way to work. She breathed a sigh of relief. When she got to her office she found one of her detectives waiting for her. He was the only one who didn't bring in any evidence when she assigned them to fish for anything on Charles. "David you are very late. I got all the information I needed." Sena said taking her seat. He told her he was sure she didn't know what he had found out. Sena smiled she told him it didn't really matter because the Charles wasn't a threat anymore. David said nothing. He just pushed an envelope towards her. Sena read it and looked up at David. "Oh my God! Who else knows about this?" She asked.

   Eli saw his phone ring. It was Sena. He quickly muted it. He knew better than to answer a call when his father was giving him a scolding. This time around he felt he deserved it. Even though Charles had be crucified by the media he still felt bad. He saw a text from Sena and smiled. At least something good came out of all the chaos. The text read...I'm on my way to your father's office. Need confirmation on something concerning Charles.’ Eli frowned.

   Sena walked into the President's office moments later. President Tamakloe was surprised to see her. She started with a few pleasantries and went straight to the point. "Do you know a Debora Quaye?" She asked. President Tamakloe looked at her surprised. "I'm not sure, eh…it could be possible." he stuttered. President Tamakloe looked at Eli. He told him he could leave because their talk was over. Sena understood. She decided to leave with Eli.

 As they walked out of the building Sena stopped. "Oh snap! I left my phone in your father's office. I'll be right back." she lied and rushed back. "Where did that name come from?!" President Tamakloe demanded when she entered his office. Sena looked at him sadly and said, "Charles was playing this game with us because he is Debora Quaye's son." The President shook his head in disbelief. "No, that can't be possible!" he screamed. Then breathing became hard for him. He gradually began to pass out. He was having a heart attack.

 To be continued...

Eli's wife 4

"Sorry my place is not as interesting as yours." Charles said to Sena handing her a glass of wine. Sena smiled. He had no idea she wasn't living in her own apartment anymore. She changed the subject quickly. Charles sat next to her and put his arm around her. Sena rested her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beat. It was beating just as fast as hers. Then Charles held her chin and raised her head. He leaned in and kissed her. Sena felt a chill. She moved closer to him. The kiss got deeper. Charles reached for the zip of Sena's dress and opened it almost halfway before she moved back. She thought about Eli and her wedding ring in her pocket. "I thought you were ready." Charles said. Sena stroked his chin. "I thought so too but maybe we are rushing this." She replied trying not to look into his eyes. Charles nodded. Sena made up an excuse and got up to leave. Charles tried to talk her into staying but he wasn't successful.

  Sena cried as she drove home. When she got to the house she noticed Eli's car was not in the garage. She looked at her watch. It was 10 past midnight. Eli was usually home before 9. As she walked into the house. She said hello to the security man and asked where Eli was. He explained to her that he left the house in a hurry 30 minutes ago. Sena found that strange. She went straight to her room, took a warm shower and tried to sleep. "What am I doing?" She asked herself.

  The next morning Sena was dashing down the stairs in order to get to work on time when she saw Eli entering the house. He looked like he hadn't slept all night. He went straight into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of beer. "Isn't it too early to be drinking?" Sena asked. "I look like shit, smell like shit and that's the first thing you ask me? What a perfect wife you are." Eli said. Sena was hurt. She turned around and left. She felt bad leaving but she didn't want to fight. At least not this early.

 Sena was just about to go out for lunch with Charles when her sister popped up into her office. Sena was not amused and it didn't look like a pleasant visit either. "I'm living with Prince Charming what do you want again?" She asked sarcastically. Enyonam didn't even smile. She just dropped a newspaper in front of Sena. Sena picked it up. She read all the top stories and found what Enyonam wanted her to read. It was a story about Eli's visits to his ex-girlfriend's place and how he spent the whole night in the hospital with her the last night. The writer was suggesting that his marriage to Sena did not make sense and that it was just a way to keep Sena's father funding the president's campaign. Sena looked down and saw the page number. "Nobody will take this guy seriously. He will sound like a desperate reporter who wants attention. He's at the bottom of page 12." She said. Enyonam leaned closer to Sena. "Fix your marriage. Keep your husband in the house. Daddy worked too hard to get us the power and recognition we have. You are going to be first Lady in some years to come and who knows, maybe your son will be president. Sena don't mess this up." Enyonam threatened in the darkest of voices. She turned around and walked out leaving Sena speechless.

 To be continued...

Eli's wife 2

"There you are. I was wondering where my bride had run away to." Eli said. He was standing with his sister. "The limo is waiting. I'm sure you are tired." Sena's sister said walking to them. Sena told Eli and Afi to take the lead. She wanted to have a word with her older sister. They nodded and left. "Baby First Lady. That's what dad calls you now." Enyonam, Sena's sister said. Sena rolled her eyes. "Enyonam, I don't love him." she said, almost in tears. "Oh my goodness! Calm down. He's the president's son, what is there not to love?" Enyonam replied. Sena shook her head. Her dad and her sister had always thought alike. Sena frowned and turned to leave but Enyonam held her hand. "Give him a chance. He can make you happy." she said. Sena just shook her head and walked off. Trying hard to walk fast in her full gown.

"Do you want me to carry you inside?" Eli asked when they got to their hotel suite. Sena remained silent and walked inside. The room was beautiful. The lights had been dimmed and there were candles all over. The whole room smelled sweet like vanilla. There were rose petals at the foot of the bed. There was also a gold bowl of chocolates on the center table as well as a bottle of champagne with two glasses. 'Wow', Sena said in her head. For a few seconds she loved where she was then she snapped back into reality. 

"I'm so tired." She said. "Now that's a downer." Eli teased. Sena dropped her bag and turned to look at him. "This whole marriage is fun to you isn't it? Let me guess I should be lucky to be married to you because you are the president's son huh? Well I don't know about you but forcing two people to get married is just stupid!" Sena let out. Her fists were clenched. Sena didn't mean to raise her voice but she was tired of bottling it inside her. Eli looked at her and shook his head. "You think I like this?" he asked in a more serious tone. "Well you seem to be having a ball." Sena shot back. "What do you want me to do? Be bitter like you?! Let's face it, Sena, we are married and, no offence, but I am not excited to be with you either!" Eli said raising his voice. Sena was quiet. "A week ago I had to tell my girlfriend that I was getting married. You think that was fun for me? We are in too deep and the sooner we find a way to get over this the better." he said, sat down and poured himself some wine. "How are we going to do that?" Sena asked still standing. Eli did not have the answer to that question and Sena knew it.

That night, their wedding night, Eli slept on the couch while Sena used the bed. Just before she went to sleep she took out her phone. There was someone she had been meaning to talk to. Charles. She called him to say goodnight. After the call she slept like a baby. Eli kept waking up not because he wasn't used to sleeping on a couch but because he kept thinking about her, Tina. He had called her 15 times that day and she returned none. He missed her. 

To be continued...

The spark

There was once a girl who met a guy she felt completed her

He was different from all the other guys she used to date

She could be 100% herself around him and it felt so natural

Time passed and even the hard times couldn't split them

Then all of a sudden she got scared of this ever so perfect union

She felt her love for him had changed over the year

He did everything to make her happy but she still felt unsure

Because the romantic spark seemed to be missing in action

She asked for space. He didn't understand but he gave her just that

The first days were fine. She had all the freedom but something was missing

The weeks passed and she had all the answers she wanted but was he still waiting?

She rushed back to him like the prodigal son and explained it all

He took her back because he loved her and because she knew how to win him over

They found that spark and it remained with them as they lived happily ever after

A spark is caused when TWO objects strike each other. 

Just my luck 3

“My boss came around and saw that I was the only one left. So when I was done he gave me a ride home.” I wanted to ask her why he would do that since she had a car but I really wanted this story to be over so we could get busy. “He said he had some files to show me so he took me to his house. Then from nowhere he started touching me. I didn't like it.” She went on. I almost choked on the popcorn I was eating. “I told him I had to leave but he grabbed me and started kissing me. That kind of felt nice. Then he took off his clothes.” She had all my attention now! She went on. “He is so violent eh? Well I mean he was.” She giggled. I didn’t catch the joke but she went on anyway. “Ok, so he almost rips my dress off and turns me around. Can you imagine?!” Her tone was rising now. I was so shocked I couldn't even speak. To make matters worse she was smiling. Why was she smiling? 

“So I said to him, Sir this is not right. I have a boyfriend.” She narrated. What?! “You have a boyfriend?” I asked, confused. She giggled and shook her head. “No, silly.” She replied. “Oh you just said that so he would stop right?” I added and sat a bit further up. “That’s right, but he said he didn’t mind so I pushed him away.” She said.  “You did the right thing.” I said, calming down now. She smiled. "I know. I should have gone to the police but I was scared." She said, looking away. "Oh don't be worried. It's ok. You can do that later." I added with a smile. I looked at the wound again. "Did you get hurt when he got all over you?" I asked. I turned to get a tissue from my bedside table. She took the tissue and wiped some blood off the wound without saying a word. "Don't you think I am sexy?" She finally said out of the blue. "Of course, you are. You are one of the hottest girls I have ever seen." I confessed. I wasn't sure I should have said all that but I was just being honest. She smiled mischievously  My heart was beating so fast. I took the tissue from her and put it in the dustbin. "You didn't tell me how you got hurt though." I said. She giggled again. "I'm thirsty." She said, touching her throat. I nodded and we walked to the kitchen. As we left I heard my phone ring. I knew it was the boys. I intentionally allowed it to ring so they would think 'wide', if you know what I mean.

I poured Agnes a glass of water and watched her drink it. I looked away when I started getting ideas. She put the empty glass down. "Ahah, so I pushed him away ok?" She said dramatically. I leaned on the wall and listened as she went on." He almost fell. Then he got angry and called me a childish brat. Can you imagine?! So I walked over to him and told him he was an old fool. The insults went on for a while and then he did it." She said with her eyes fearfully wide open. "Did what?" I asked immediately. "He slapped me." She replied. I covered my mouth with my palm. "Oh no." I added. "Exactly! I was so furious I picked up a flower vase and knocked his head with it. No one slaps me and gets away with it!" She thundered slamming her hand on the table. Which made me jump. "Eish!" I yelled in my head.

 "So what happened?" I asked unconsciously filling her glass with water again. "I grabbed a flower vase and smashed it on his head. Some of the glass cut me. She said, pointing to her wound. At this moment the water was pouring out of the glass. I noticed it and grabbed a napkin to clean it up. "So he fell down. Stupid man. So I kicked him a few times and left. Since he had wasted my time I took his car." She went on. I just stood there staring at her. To make matters worse she was smiling. "God please let her be joking." I prayed silently. She walked over to me and leaned over. "Have you ever done it in the kitchen before?" she whispered. I felt a shiver. 

To be continued...

Justin's surprise 2

We stopped in front of the Grand Mirage Hotel. “Come on.” Justin said and opened the door. I stood outside just staring at the building while he and the taxi driver got our luggage out. “Marie could you pay the taxi driver? I don’t have any lose change.” Justin said. I nodded and paid him. It was after we checked in and were escorted to our room that I could speak again. “The remotes are in the left drawer and if you need anything just dial 100 on the intercom.” The valet said to me and left. The room was amazing. The bed was huge, the décor was like a delicious dessert. I couldn’t wait to see the bathroom. It was just as I imagined it, adorable. Justin put our bags in a corner and sat on the bed. “Jus, I know this is really cool and all but really what are we celebrating?” I asked, touching the orange bedside lamp. “You are so strange. You always say I’m not romantic. Now that I’m being romantic too you are complaining.” He responded. “Oh no, I’m not complaining oh.” I said and jumped onto the bed. “We thank God I will be done with my Master’s soon. Please save some of this till after June ok?” I teased.

I woke up in the middle of the night. I guess the unfamiliar environment (extremely comfortable bed, silk sheets and slit air conditioner) was the reason. I admired the room one more time and turned to look at Justin who was fast asleep. I was so grateful he didn’t snore or drool among other things lol. He was sleeping soundly. I couldn’t help believe how far we had come. We had been going out for just a bit over a year but it felt like 10 years. I remember how I used to complain to him because he put his work first all the time. There was a time we almost broke up because he just didn’t have time for me and it wasn’t that he had to work oh. He was doing his own voluntary overtime with no allowances. Justin was always far from romantic. His idea of a date was to stay indoors and talk or play video games…with his friends! But besides that and a few incidents were he totally ignored me, he was a good guy. He always makes an effort to change. 

I opened my eyes because I heard a knock at the door. I turned to the side and Justin wasn’t there. I could hear some water running. I got off the bed and walked to the door. There was a waiter with a huge tray of food. He brought it inside and put it on the table. I smiled at him (that was my tip) and he left the room. Breakfast was massive! “Justin breakfast is here and it’s huge!” I yelled. “Wow, I can’t wait.” he said and he came out of the bathroom. We spent the whole morning having breakfast in bed and watching a movie. 

“Don’t you have to go to work?” I asked, looking at the time. “Work, who said I came here to work?” Justin asked. He looked like her wasn’t joking. This was even stranger. I turned to look at him immediately. He took a deep breath and sat up, took my hand, looked straight into my eyes and said. “Marie, a lot has happened in the last couple of days and it made me realize that you deserved better. I haven’t treated you very well in the past.” “Oh Justin, I understand. Your job is stressful and everything we went through was to make us stronger so marriage won’t be that hard.” I cut in. His expression changed and I realized I mentioned the ‘M’ word. “Oops, sorry, I know I said I won’t talk about marriage right now.” I said and giggled. He pulled me closer to him. “It’s ok. I just want us to enjoy the moments we spend together.” He whispered and kissed my forehead.

In no time we both fell asleep.

It was like the hotel put Valium in our food. Maybe it wasn’t the hotels fault; we were the ones who overeat. When I opened my eyes I noticed Justin wasn’t there. I got off the bed and realized he wasn’t in the bathroom either. I picked up my phone to call him. “Hey Marie didn’t you see my note? I left one on the table telling you that I was at the pool.” He said. My eyes lit up immediately. “The pool opens at night? Aww I wish I brought my swim suit.” I said jealously. I drew the curtains and took a look at the pool. I saw Justin sitting on the side of the pool and he was alone too! I was so jealous. “Oh the hotel hasn’t been to the room yet? I ordered a swim suit for you. Maybe they brought it when you were sleeping and took it back. Call the reception and tell them you want a swim suit delivered to your room.” Justin said. “For real?” I asked, tempted to hop around. “Yea, for real. I’ll be waiting for you. Hurry up. They might close soon.” He said and hang up. I dashed to the hotel room phone and made my order. In no time the swim suit was in with a towel too. It was so hot. I knew Justin picked that particular one! 

“Hi fishy!” I teased when I got to the pool. The water was so warm and nice. I hadn’t swum in months so this was so soothing. “Hey, I don’t know what happened to make you become so romantic but I like it!” I said from across the pool. Then it occurred to me, maybe he did something terrible. Maybe he was trying to satisfy his own guilty conscience. My peaceful mind was troubled instantly. “Justin we should be getting back. I’m beginning to feel cold.” I lied. He nodded and we went back to the room. I wanted to talk to him and clear things out. I waited till we both had our showers and were cozy in bed again, eagerly waiting for dinner. “Justin, about what you said earlier, could you explain it further?” I asked. He was busy changing the channel on the TV. “Huh?” He muttered absentmindedly. “What happened in the past couple of days to make you want me so much now?” I blurted out. I should have said it another way but it already slipped out of my mouth. Justin dropped the remote and turned to me like I had committed a crime. “Why, I’m here aren’t I?” He said and looked away quickly. If there was anything I knew about Justin, it was his honesty. It was clear he was hiding something very scary. 

to be continued...

Justin's surprise

“Where are you?” Justin asked. I dropped my bag on my bed and turned the other ear. “I just got into my room. My second lecture was cancelled. My weekend just got started, chale.” I replied. He was quiet for a while. “Hey I have to get something to eat. Can I call you back later?” I said and hung up the phone. The fridge was so dry. I looked inside my bag and grabbed my purse. I rushed downstairs to the hostel’s provision store to buy something to eat. “Marie, are you going for the Faculty Week Fair?” Abena asked on my way back to my room. She was a close friend to my roommate. “I don’t know oh. I’m kind of broke and I don’t want to be tempted.” I replied with a wink. “Oh you should come. I heard the prices won’t be too high. My cousin is going to be there.” She added. I leaned against the stairs and smiled broadly. “Oh the designer? That’s so cool. I still remember that blue tank top we saw at her shop.” I confessed. Abena laughed out loud and I even joined her. After our little chitchat I rushed to my room. I turned on my laptop to watch a movie and changed into my favourite black shorts and a grey t-shirt. I decided to ask my brother to send me some money. Just when I picked up my phone to send him a text my boyfriend called. “Oh Justin I said I would call you right back eh? Sorry oh.” I apologized but he cut me short. “Oh it’s fine. There is a package for you at your door. Have you got it yet?” He said. My heart skipped a beat. Who doesn’t like packages. “No it hasn’t what is it? Tell me, tell me and who is bringing it?” I said immediately getting off my bed and dropping my pillow in the process. Then like magic I heard a knock at the door. I rushed to the door and opened it. “Justin!” I screamed and hugged him tight.

“You sneaky boy. You didn’t tell me you were coming!” I said when he was inside. “Then I would have spoilt the surprise.” He said with a smile. “But you never ever surprise me.” I said. “Maybe I have changed.” He said and sat right next to me. It was nice having him around, really nice.” Just before I could ask him his main purpose of stay and duration, he said he had to take a call and rushed out of the room. Minutes later Eyram came into the room. Eyram was my roommate. She called Justin her Checkmate because they both liked Chess. How lame is that? The two of them got along very well. Eyram was also reading Civil Engineering, the same thing Justin studied in Uni. “Guess who is here?” I asked her. She threw her books on the desk and shook her head. “Justin!” I yelled. “My Checkmate? Ei what a surprise. Where is he?” She said smiling. “He just stepped out to take a call.” I replied. Then Abena came in the room without knocking, as usual. She grabbed Eyram and dragged her away giggling. I’m sure it was for their usual kokonsa.  

After about a whole two hours of talking about things that don’t really matter I remembered. “So are you here for work and how long are you staying?” I finally asked. “Oh can’t I come to visit my girl? Eh? Can I spend the weekend here?” He asked and kissed my cheek. I smiled and nodded. Eii my boyfriend had really changed. “Justin there is nothing in the fridge oh. Tomorrow I will go get some stuff to cook some food but for tonight dierr we have to hustle.” I said with a giggle. “Oh yes. What’s the time?” Justin said and looked at his phone. I looked at him quietly. “Marie, forget about that. Pack some clothes, we are going to lodge somewhere interesting.” He said. I looked at him, even more confused now. “I’m lodging at a hotel in town. I’m pretty sure it would be boring there alone you know.” He added after reading my expression. Is this guy for real?

Apparently he was, because I had my stuff packed up for a weekend and we left my hostel. Justin was in such a hurry. I was equally as excited. I rushed to Abena’s room to tell Eyram that I was leaving but she was in the bathroom. “Eyram, Justin and I are going out. I will call you when we get back ok?” I said aloud so she would hear. “Ei you won’t waste any time eh? Ok, but make sure you take your key. I don’t want you waking me up in the middle of the night.” She responded. I smiled. “Don’t worry, I don’t think we will come back tonight.” I said and rushed out before Abena put her kokonsa mouth in my business. This was so insanely romantic and it wasn’t even my birthday!! “Destination: the Grand Mirage Hotel.” Justin whispered in my ears. Was he kidding? That place was massive. I literally pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming; literally.

To be continued...

Surprises come in chains

I'm sitting on a rock with the wind blowing through my hair. Once in a while I pick up my fruit juice in a box and take a sip. It's about 4pm and the beautiful sun is setting. Just what I need, the right environment to inspire me. I flip over the page of my sketch pad. I have 5 sketched already and an idea just sprang into my head. The tide is getting a little higher and the sound of the waves stronger.

"Where should I put the button?" I asked myself and raised my head up to imagine my design. "Somewhere visible?" a calm voice asked. A very familiar one but it couldn't be, or could it? I turned around as fast as I could and my eyes confirmed my assumption. I screamed and hugged him as tight as my body would let me. "Jesse, I can't believe it's you." I finally said with tears in my eyes.

We spoke and laughed just like old times or even better. His eyes were just as charming as the weather. I never forgot that smile, that blink nor that gentle gaze he gave that made all his emotions so obvious. Then it was time to know the truth, the joy of seeing him was enough to avoid the question but I had to know. With a deep breath I asked, "but I heard you died in the accident. Why didn't you contact me after all these years?"

He didn't look surprised because he knew it was unavoidable. He held my right hand with both of his and said "it was an assasination. They wanted my whole family dead. If they found out I was alive they would have come for me and God knows they would have hurt you too. You may not believe this but I have watched you all these years from afar waiting for this day." He explained. I could feel the pain and joy in his eyes. His answer was good enough. He's here now and thanks to the change of government I know he would stay now. There was nothing more to fear. Finally after 5 years I have been reunited with my dear.

We got up to leave. I watched him grab my book and pencils and hold my hand with so much affection. He turned to the sun which was almost gone to sleep. "This isn't right, the sun should be rising to signify this beautiful day I have waited to long for." I couldn't help smiling but he was right in a way. The sun was significant but neither of us knew how yet. He lifted me up and I giggled for so long but then he shut me up in the best possible way....with a kiss. I couldn't believe I had butterflies.

What happened next was beyond my imagination. I heard loud gun shots from no where and saw Jesse fall to the ground right next to me and just when I caught him I felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder. I fell right next to him. "Jesse" was all I could say as my vision went blurr. But I managed to hear his last words. "I love you"......the first and last time I heard him say them.