THE brideGLOOM. Episode 13
Mr Adrian: good morning, Charlotte. You didn't tell me you do pole dancing.
Charlotte:? how did you know!
Mr Adrian: my friends came into Nigeria last night and asked me to come hang out with them, but because I had a lot doing, I couldn't make it. But they did send me some clips of your performance. I must say you are very Good!
Charlotte: those are your friends? Oh my God!
I'm so embarrassed.
Mr Adrian: come on! That's like a second job. So long as it doesn't affect your role here, it is perfectly okay.
I'll give you ten out of ten. Amazing flexibility, I must say!
Charlotte: Thank you.
Mr Adrian: you know watching pole dancing is my favourite thing in the world, right?
Charlotte: really? Was that why you paid for one the day we went out?
Mr Adrian: I do that all the time. Whenever I travel to any city I spend a lot of money on that. That is the only way I unwind.
I'll be going to Barbados next week, would you like to come with me then? I'll pay for everything. The flight ticket, hotel, food and also pay you three hundred pound per hour of performance.
Charlotte: but I have used up all my holiday.
Mr Adrian: don't worry, I'll give you some hours off and you still get paid for it.
Charlotte: awwww! Thank you!
Mr Adrian: sorry, Charlotte, but I don't like when women tell me awwww. I feel patronised. If you can, try not to use it on me. Thanks.
Charlotte: oh okay! I'm sorry
Mr Adrian: thanks. Get started with the documents, please. Thank you.
Charlotte: right away.?
(Deric is still in his village tending to his poor mother whose health has continued to deteriorate and Charlotte rarely calls to check up on him.
She had wanted to travel without telling Deric but she changed her mind and decided to tell him, so she got home, sorted out her passport and started ringing him…)
Charlotte:(?????)
Deric: hello, Charlotte
Charlotte: hello, how is mama today?
Deric: so this is the first time you are calling me in two weeks, right?
Charlotte: I keep trying to call but obviously the network in your village is unstable!
Deric: well, mama is not getting any better.
Charlotte: she will be fine. I'm calling to tell you you that I will be going to China next week.
Deric: you are going to China to do What?
Charlotte: my company is sending me there.
Deric: you are going to China Charlotte? Your mother in law has been critically ill for two months now, you have never bothered to come down and see her for once. You barely ask after her but you are going to China. You are not even sure that you would meet her when you come back.
This is a woman who stood by your side when you were in debt in London. She cleared your debt, came to London to see you and brought you food items that lasted you a whole year. A woman who treats you like her own…
Charlotte: oh please save me the blackmail! Do you know why I'm going to China?? I have been asked to do a training that would raise my monthly salary by eighty percent!
I only agreed to do that because of mama's health. What she needs right now is not that pity party you and your elder brother are organising everywhere on social media!
She need good medical care abroad!
As soon as I come back from China, I'll take mama to London to get her treated! So save me the whole bull crap! I've heard enough of it from you!
Deric: hmmm. But you never told me you had such plans. Anyways, thank you. I will do anything to save my mother and if I had money, we wouldn't be having this discussion right now because she would have been in a London hospital recovering. Thanks again, Charlotte.
Charlotte: I've paid in some money into your account, buy her whatever she needs until I come back. Tell her I said she will be fine.
Bye(???)
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Madam Nkechi: are you telling me the whole truth, Chioma??
Chioma: mummy, I swear by daddy's grave. Since I married Ambrose, I've never had anything to do with any other man?
Why would I? I love my husband to bits, I love my children and I value my home???
I have never given it a thought.
Ambrose gives i and the kids everything we need. Everything, mama!
Madam Nkechi: so where did he get the pictures you spoke about, then?
Chioma: mama, I wish I know. I am just so confused and heartbroken. I've only just started to wean Shasha and she cries a lot at night. God, please vindicate me!???????
Madam Nkechi: it's alright. Stop crying. Their nanny will take care of them. Do you have any friends in Abuja?
Chioma: no, mummy. Ambrose is the only friend I have. Whenever I tell you that I am out, it's with him. I don't even know anyone in our estate. The only person I speak to sometimes is Kate, my children's nanny and she is such a wonderful young woman.
Madam Nkechi: something is not right somewhere. I and your uncle Emeka will go see Ambrose tomorrow. Stop crying let's go into the kitchen and make something.
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Tatiana: daddy, we had too much ice cream and there is a girl that was crying and crying and crying o! I didn't cry because I am a big girl! Shasha cry small
Mr Ambrose: Shasha cried because she is still a baby. You are a big girl and daddy is proud of you.
Tatiana: Shasha also wee wee on her pant!?
Mr Ambrose: it's okay, when you were her age, you did same.
Tatiana: yes because I was short then
Mr Ambrose: because you were a baby
Tatiana: where is mummy. Mummy! Mummy!
Mr Ambrose: Tatiana, mummy has gone to see grandma Nkechi.
Tatiana: okay!! When is mummy going to bring a baby from the hospital? She said she will bring another baby very soon
Mr Ambrose: phewww! Mummy, you go and have your shower first, and we can talk about that later, okay?
Tatiana: But when she brings another baby, will she give Shasha back to the hospital? Otherwise there's gonna be toooooo much babies in this house.
Mr Ambrose: Kate!
Kate: yes, sir. I've got Shasha in the shower! I can't come down!
Mr Ambrose: Jesus Christ save me!
Tatiana: Jesus Christ save me!
Mr Ambrose: Mummy, go and get your story book let me read you a story
Tatiana: okay daddy!!!!!?
Mr Ambrose: no running!