Chapter 3 & 4

EMPTY PROMISE .

" Hey, you again. If not that is a supermarket I could have asked " why are you stalking me?" I said to him with a bumming smile on my face. He smiled back at me and moved closer to where I stood.

" I can become your lifetime stalker if you will let me. You are so beautiful and I was a little shy to say hello on the first and second day that I set my eyes on you"…

I blushed and looked away before I will faint under his gaze.

He was good with words and definitely knows how to use it.

He swept me off my feet with his every word and actions.

I looked away and tries to control my tumbling heart.

" You are an epitome of beauty, endowed with so much finnest. You can be mistaken for a goddess. I think I'm the luckiest man alive to behold your elegance. Your mother must be the Queen of her kingdom to have birthed a fine wine as you…"

I was enjoying the moment and did not want him to stop showering me with praises. I was melting gently under his strong romantic voice and his overdose cuteness.

"…I wish to know you more princess. My name is Tony and I'm single looking for who to mingle with. What is your beautiful name…?"

" Avala. That's my name."

He smiled at me, expressing his fine set of teeth.

" What a beautiful princess with a beautiful name. I feel so lucky to meet you." He said with his hands stretched out dramatically.

" is a pleasure to meet you too Tony.

We spoke for sometime, exchange contacts and went on our way.

That was how Tony stepped into my life like a prince in a shining armour.

We both agreed to go on our first date. I was so excited and took enough time to select my clothes and makeup.

He was around just in time and had to wait for me to round up.

When I stepped out he couldn't look away as he marvels at my beautiful appearance.

He took me to one of the best and expensive restaurant in Jalingo.

He ordered for wine and all sort of dish.

We ate to our satisfaction and when the waiter brought our total bills to us.

It was quiet huge, he fumble in his pockets as if he was searching for something.

I silently looked on, wondering what he was searching for.

I ended up asking

" is everything okay… did you misplaced anything?"

He looked up at me wearing a shock face. I was almost worried and wondered what could be the problem not until he said.

" Baby…I just misplaced my credit card. The only card i planned to pay with. I…don't know how it disappear from me. Shit…this is really terrible. How am i going to pay for all this now?. What we ate and the wine we took…how do I pay now that my card is missing…"

It was quiet sad but it was not a big deal like he was making it seem.

" Maybe it fell into the car. It probably dropped in the car without you knowing. Why not go and check for it there…I mean later. Don't worry about the bills, I got it covered.

He looks at me with shock as I brought out my Mastercard and pay up the bill.

We left and as he got into the car he checked round, I even joined him to search for his missing credit card but we found nothing.

We relaxed back and just believed that the card is probably lost. He said he will call his account officer to block the card and issue him another one.

Tony later took my hands into his and said.

" Baby…I don't know what I will do without you. You compliment me in everything. Thank you for taking care of the bills…I will make it up to you. Is quiet embarrassing that my card got missing at the wrong time but I'm so relieved to have someone like you. I adore you Avala….I love you from my inside out and I promised to always make you smile. I promised you that baby….

I smile while listening to him.

As he speaks, all I wanted to do was to bury myself in his strong arms. Tony was handsome and I was seriously tripping for his cuteness.

" Hey Tony…that's nothing. Really! I know if not for your missing card you would have paid up…I don't really count it as anything. Believe me when I say that is absolutely nothing.

He gave a satisfying smile before bending over to kiss me on the lips.

I enjoyed the kiss and even wish is more.

He took me to many other sight seeing places and I paid for all the entry fees, bought many other things we had.

We both had a great time before he drove me back home. I asked him to come in but he said he will do that next time. He promised to come over by the following weekend and we will have a great time together. And by then we will also get to know each other better.

I looked forward to having him again, Tony makes me happy. I know his level is far higher than Isreal.

Isreal called me that night after me and Tony's outing. I felt irritated seeing his calls again.

He was calling earlier when I was out with Tony during the day but I silent his call and turn my phone into silent mood. And seeing his call again that night disgust me.

I allowed my phone to ring and stop. after three missed calls, on the fourth one I picked up.

" yes Isreal. What is it. Why do you keep calling me none stop…

"Ava, what is my offence this time. What did I do wrong. I'm sorry honey, whatever it maybe that is annoying you please forgive me as always. I was so worried about you. I haven't been myself ever since I couldn't reach you. You know that you are my happiness, hearing from you and knowing that you are alright makes me very happy."

I gave a heavy sigh, rolled my eyes at his long talk before saying.

" Isreal, you have to learn how to respect my privacy. I don't enjoy this continues calls from you. I'm a very busy person you should know that. I need to go to bed now."

He later said with a broken voice.

" I'm so sorry honey. Alright goodnight my Love. Sleep well…you are always in my prayers and I love you dearly."

I could have reply but I chose to ignore. I ended the call and went to bed.

All I wanted that night was to dream of Tony. Israel is not a problem to me. I know how to handle him. Tony is all that matters and he is begining to occupy every part of my heart.

EPISODE 4

Tony was at my place the following weekend. I wasn't a great cook so I decided to order from the expensive restaurant. I turned the food into pots and make it looks like I prepared it by myself.

" wow, this is so delicious. Did you make it…you made this food?"

I looked at him and pretend to be surprised.

" You like it? C'mon this is the smallest of my cooking. I make food that are more than this. I'm glad you like it."

He smiled and exclaimed.

" wow, baby you are good. Apart from been beautiful you are also a great cook. I feel so lucky to have your kind of woman.

" thank you Tony. I will give you different African delicacies when next you visit me.

He was very happy as we continued with the food.

After the food we decided to relax and gist.

" we haven't really gotten enough time to discuss deep things about us. I only know that you relocated here due to your kind of job. We share almost the same story…I was transfered to Jalingo and I'm a regional manager and also in charge of logistics in my branch here. I'm MSC holder. I work hard to get to the level that I am today…

I said why relaxing on Tony's chest as he stroke my hair gently while listening to me.

He breathed deeply before saying

"very interesting. I love hardworking ladies. I don't like an idle woman. Well, I finished from Havard business school in Boston…that's Massachusetts USA. It was after I returned I decided to joined my company and right now I have alot of business ideas crowding my head and like I told you before I'm in Jalingo because my Company sent me down to supervise a construction site but I found a new business for myself which will keep me here for a very long time. I'm enjoying Jalingo and I hope you are too…

In my mind thoughts crowded it up. All I wanted to say is that I wasn't enjoying anything here until I met Tony who added some colour to my life.

Tony fit into my dream man. He was in my class and league and it was a dream come true for me.

I thought I was in fairy land but the fact remains that it was all happening in reality.

I can't wait to become his woman for life.

I was already loving him deep within. I moved closer to his chest, enjoying the stroke of his gentle hand on my hair.

I wish to kiss him and declare my whole love for him

I did not say any of the things that was in my head, instead I ended up saying.

" yeah, Jalingo is a cool place to be unlike Lagos. Despite I miss Lagos but I'm equally enjoying my stay here and with you in it…there will be loads of fun waiting to be discovered.

He bent over again and placed a kissed on lips before saying.

" I wish I will marry you right away. i keep wondering where you have been all my life. I wish I have discovered you earlier we would have been married by now. You make me happy baby and I'm not after what you got. I'm after your heart and I promise to bring more colours to your life. I will be your rainbow filling you everyday with beautiful colours. I promise to love you forever if you will just be mine. Together we will conquer the world, Having beautiful children and growing old together….I will treasure you all the days of my life…I promise.

He promised and kept promising to make me his world and i believed him.

He wasn't after what I got he was after my heart and that alone is a strong assurance that I was ready to bank on.

And that was how our relationship kicks up.

I spend some weekend at his place and he sometimes comes to spend over at mine.

I enjoyed his presence and wish he can just propose to me right away.

Isreal kept on calling and I continued to ignore him. I acted as if he doesn't exist.

Tony even noticed the continuous calls from Isreal and decided to ask me who he was.

And at that moment, I didn't know that I mistakenly touched the answer button. I started talking without knowing that I have already picked Isreal's call.

"he is an old haggard friend who tries to fit into where he doesn't belong. He use to be a friend anyway but he's not in my class and I have been searching for a way to throw him off. His name is Isreal and he stays in Lagos. He's just a common guy with nothing much to his Academy and name.

Then Tony said.

"Instead of the continues calls you can block him. I don't like sharing my woman with anybody. Is either me and me alone…nothing more, nothing less. And I shouldn't be in any sort of competition with a broke ass boy. I'm a jealous lover and want my woman to respect that fact. Baby, you know that I really love you and I want you to dedicate your love and time for me. I don't want you to be distracted. I need your full attentions.

I assured Tony that I'm all his. Isreal is too small to come between my relationship with Tony. I will not allow any body to come between me and the man I love so much.

I did not think of Isreal until the following day.

I got his message that morning and he sound so pained and broken in his messages.

He told me that he overheard everything that I and my new man discussed.

He even accused me of answering the phone before leaving it so that he can hear our conversation.

But that wasn't true, I didn't even know that he was listening, if I knew that my hand touched the answer button I could have ended the call right away.

But is unfortunate and saddening that he heard what me and Tony were discussing. I wish he never did because I understand how sad and broken he will be but life goes on.

I deleted his message and moved on with the man that got my happiness. That alone was very important to me.

I knew Isreal will still call once he is calm enough because I know he can't moved on without me.

I'm his happiness, he also told me that I mean the world to him but the truth is I don't value him as much as I should because he is not in my league.

When he called me after a day of getting his troubling message.

I answered thinking he wants to insult me for dumping him the way I did but he didn't.

I was ready to give him my own dose of insult too but instead he began to plead and cry over the phone.

Begging me not to Leave him. Isreal said he can't cope through life if I Leave him.

He was crying seriously but I was tired of hearing his heart wrenching cry in my ear.

I quickly ended the call.

I blocked him from reaching me.

I can't afford to loose Tony because of him.

And that was the end of Isreal.

I continued my life with my prince charming.

Tony means everything to me and he is all that matters not Isreal.

I'm glad I'm finally over with Isreal.

To Be Continued