1 Chapter One

There was a thunderstorm within him. He couldn't seem to calm the turmoil in him. He was hurt but wondered how anyone would understand his pain. How would he explain the raging storm within him?

“Hush”, they said, “ it would go away”

“You’re just a little boy, you know nothing about life”, others told him. And he did. Gradually he learned to tame the storm within him. He was blinded to the stabbing pain in his heart. With grim tears, he stared at the object in his hands- his greatest nightmare but also his greatest strength.

Adepoju looked at his friend like he had suddenly grown two heads. He twirled his pen between his fingers looking at him slyly.

“You really want me to go on a blind date?” He asked Mike in disbelief. He watched Mike straighten his grey Armani suit, tugging slightly at the lapel.

“Do you plan on being single all your life?” Mike asked smirking.

“Someone hearing you would think you’re a married man with like five kids already”, he scoffed. Picking up his coffee, he took a slow sip from it while staring at Mike through the rim of the cup.

“I’m the ladies’ man bro”, Mike said with a hint of pride which made Ade laugh, “I can’t just break innocent women’s hearts by retiring so early man. I really don’t mind being a bachelor for a couple of years”, Mike said winking. Ade couldn't dispute the fact that Mike was a playboy. He had the looks and even the gene of a playboy. He could smooth talk any lady of his choice into his bed.

“That makes two of us, doesn't? I love being a bachelor too”, Ade replied sarcastically which only Mike laugh.

“No, Ade. Hell no dude”, Mike said amidst laughter shaking his head vigorously, “don’t disrespect me like that man. We both know you’re getting rusty”.

“I wouldn't call it rusty though”, he answered smiling, “I just don’t see any reason why I should waste my time, so let’s just call it my retirement plan”.

“Retirement plan huh, how smooth”, Mile said clicking his tongue. Ade just smiled at him without saying a word. He knew what game he was

trying to play and he wasn't planning on bulging to his idea of a blind date. Just then Nancy, Ade’s secretary walked in. Her heel making soft clicks on the marble flooring, catching the attention of the two men in the office. Ade watched Mike make a quick assessment of her dress which hung to her figure like a second skin. She made her way to his table with elegant steps.

“These are the files you asked for Sir”, she said in her usual sing-song voice.

“Thanks, Nancy”, he said reaching out to collect the files. Nancy smiled in response bowing her head slightly, a habit he had noticed in her.

“And cancel any meeting I would be having today; I’d be leaving early”.

“Okay Sir”, and with that, she left his office leaving them.

“Man, sometimes I wonder if you are into girls at all”, Mike said whistling, “she’s a beautiful girl man!”.

“She is my employee Mike”, he said shaking his head, “and next time don’t gawk at her like that, it’s offensive to her as a woman”, he said smacking Mike’s head with a folder.

“What? I wasn’t being offensive”, Mike defended, ever the feminist. You should be thrown out of the playboy’s club”.

Ade looked at him with an arched brow, making Mike raise his hand in fake surrender.

“Fine, I’ll try not to do it again. But in defense, I only looked at her the way every other sane man would look at a hot lady”.

“You’re hopeless dude”, he said packing his things. Mike gave him a questioned look seeing that he was already getting ready to leave.

“What’s with you leaving early?” “I just have a lot of stuff to do that’s all”

Mike nods his head and stood up without saying a word. Ade patted Mike’s back before stepping out of the office.

“Ade?” mike called out, “get ready by 7 pm man, you don’t want to keep your date waiting”

“You did what?” Ade asked baffled.

“I’m the best I know”, Mike said chuckling. Ade just shook his head, everything filling his head was the thought of meeting a woman he knew nothing of.

Ade stared at the wall clock contemplating whether or not to go on the date. This was a shabby plan of Mike to get him a girlfriend like he was ready to commit to anyone at the moment.

6:02pm. He sighed. He couldn’t just keep an innocent woman waiting at the expense of Mike’s silly games. He only hoped Mike had the decency to pick someone of class. He muttered a few curses under his breath as he got dressed. He pocked a blue dress shirt and matched it a black trouser. Standing in front of his full-length mirror, he contemplated which tie to wear as he held up two different ties to his body. ‘Who am I trying to impress anyway’ he thought throwing the ties aside. This is a big joke, probably the best joke of the century.Just then his phone lit up with a new notification. He picked up the phone and chuckled. Shoot me already, he joked as he sent Mike a quick message. He tried memorizing the address Mike sent before shoving the phone into his pocket.

He sat helplessly at the far corner of the room waiting. He was old enough to grasp the current situation of things. He couldn’t wait to play outside with his new toy, but somehow he got stuck in the midst of trouble.

After quite some time, the house was airily calm, like a lull fell on it. He sat quietly on the floor not knowing exactly how much time had elapsed.

He wanted permission to leave the house, he couldn’t wait to show Sammy his new toy. After a few minutes of absentmindedly playing with his toy, he willed his leg to look for his mother. His little feet padded across the floor afraid to make a sound. Passing by the window, he stole a glimpse out the window. Hearing the sound of other children playing he was impatient to leave the house. With adrenaline coursing through his system he ran looking for his mother.

“Mommy” he whispered silently, finally seeing her at the back of the house. She was crying and he wondered if the drama earlier wasn’t over. “Mom?” He called out much more audibly. She turned around, her face stained with tears. On impulsion, he engulfed her in a hug, his little hands barely going around her. This seemed to intensify her sobs. She drew him closer hugging him back crying silent tears. He didn’t know the exact reason as to why she was crying but he warned to wipe the tears from off her face.

“What’s wrong?” He asked in a soft voice.

“I’m fine don’t you worry”, she answered cleaning off her tears stained face. He knew something was wrong but he didn’t push any further.

“Go and play okay? Mom is fine”, she urged.