BIBI - CHAPTER 15

Lara watched Stella Maris snoring softly, torn between staying with her a little bit more and running her weekend errands.

“Can you make me some tea, please?”  

“Sure,” Lara answered. 

“I want the chamomile tea with some honey. Kevin can show you where we keep them in the kitchen.”

“Okay,” Lara said and headed for the stairs. She had just reached the bottom of the staircase when the doorbell rang.

Kevin walked out of his man cave in the house. He glanced at Lara briefly before walking towards the door to attend to whoever was pressing the bell.

Lara entered the kitchen and tried to figure out where to get the tea bags and honey. She looked in each of the cabinets and breathed a sigh of relief when she found them. She grabbed the kettle, filled it with water, and let it boil.

“Hey, you, handsome!!!” A female voice purred. Lara rolled her eyes. Kevin probably had strings of women visiting the house from time to time.

“Onose….I wasn’t expecting you until next week.” Kevin stated.

“Well, I thought I’d surprise you, or aren’t you happy to see me?”

“You know I’m always happy to see you.” Kevin countered.

“Good! I have missed you.” She said to Kevin, pulling him closer and kissing him.

“I am famished! Do you guys have anything edible in this house?” Onose walked into the kitchen with Kevin behind her.

“Who is she?” Onose looked at Kevin, waiting for his answer.

Lara spun around when she realized that she had company in the kitchen.

“She’s Stella’s friend,” Kevin answered.

“I see,” Onose stated.

“So, is she staying here?” She probed, and Lara smirked.

Lara looked from Kevin to his friend. It was interesting how they discussed her like she wasn’t there.

“No,” Lara stated and turned to Kevin. “Stella asked me to make her some tea.”

“Okay,” Kevin said. “Do you need my help with anything?”

“Nope. I found everything I need.” She answered and continued stirring the tea in the cup.

“So, how have you been?” Onose said as she placed her hand on Kevin’s arm and led him to the sitting room.

****

Bade stirred on the bed, wondering what the time was. He looked at the clock and yawned when he saw the time. His physical therapy sessions with his new doctor would start in a few days, and he was looking forward to it.

 It had been a few months since his accident, and he craved normalcy other than being at home, watching movies, reading books, and scrolling away on his phone. He had tried to be in great spirits for the sake of everyone around him, but the reality of his current situation fully dawned on him sometimes. Bibi had started her prenatal sessions, and he was thankful that she could get medical care quickly, considering the cost of healthcare in the USA.

He still couldn’t feel a thing in his legs. He sighed. The cry of his heart every day was that he’d be able to walk again one day. “Lord, please.” He muttered and blinked back a tear. The doctors in Chicago had said that his paralysis might be temporary or permanent. They said there were no guarantees, and he could only hope for a miracle. He sighed and kneaded his forehead with his fingers. His parents had brought him up in the way of the Lord, and while he wasn’t particularly religious, he read his Bible from time to time and went to church every once in a while

Bibi rolled over on the bed and saw Bade looking at her when she opened her eyes.

“Good morning.” She said, smiling at him.

“Good morning, my love,” Bade said, kissing her forehead.

“What time is it?” She asked.

“Some minutes past 7 am,” Bade answered her.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah, I did. Did you?” Bibi asked.

“Uh-hmm.” Bade nodded, and Bibi frowned. “Are you in pain?”

“Somewhat….” Bade responded.  

“Where do you feel the pain?” Bibi probed.

“Somewhere around my back, shoulders and thighs,”

“Do you think we need to change the mattress? Is it too soft?” Concern laced Bibi’s features.

“I don’t know,” Bade responded, kneading his temple.

Bibi got the massage gel in the bathroom. She poured some of it into her palm and went to work on his legs and shoulders, gently kneading the areas of concern.

“Thanks, wifey. What would I do without you?”

Bibi smiled. “Caroline is in town. She’ll be coming over today. We might be hanging out for a few hours. She said something about us going to the Galleria. Would you like to come with us?”

Bade nodded. “Nope. Go and have fun. I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to come along?” Bibi prodded.

“Of course. Besides, I want to call Sarumi today.”

Bibi held his hand in hers. “I understand. Maybe you can start working remotely?”

“Yes, I’m thinking about that,” Bade replied. Working would help him not to feel sorry for himself.

“You could also apply to jobs here,” Bibi advised.

“Hmmm. I don’t think I have the mental strength for interviewing now.”

“I understand. Yeah, let’s take things one step at a time.” Bibi rose from the bed and walked into the bathroom to brush her teeth.

She helped Bade with bathing and dressing up.

An hour later, they sat at the dining table and feasted on yam and egg sauce, which Bade’s mum had prepared.

“My friends will be visiting soon, and I am looking forward to it,” Ireti announced. “They want me to go with them for a three-day cruise to the Bahamas.

“That sounds exciting,” Bibi answered as she cut up the yam on her plate.

“Beeni o.” Ireti replied. “They also mentioned taking me to a spa for a massage and all sorts of things.

Bibi chuckled. “That’ll be great. I think you need all the pampering and fun. You’ve been there for us these past months, and we can’t thank you enough.”

“I echo Bibi’s thoughts, mum,” Bade stated, pouring some coffee into the mug.

When the doorbell rang later that day, Bibi hurried to the door. “

Caroline!” She exclaimed when she saw her friend.

“Bibi Fernandez!!! Bibi, I have missed you.”

“Same here,” Bibi said, throwing her arms around her. “Come inside.”

“Sure,” Caroline said and stepped into the huge house.

“Wow. It’s beautiful in here.”

“Thanks, Caroline,” Bibi answered. “Do you like it in Philadelphia? How is UPenn treating you? Have you met any dashing guys lately?” She asked when they were both seated.

Caroline burst into laughter. “Oh, dear! One question at a time, Bibi.”

Bibi chuckled. They spent the next hour or so catching up on the happenings in each other’s lives.

“Wow! You have gone through a tough time. How is Bade doing?”

“He’s fine. He gets withdrawn sometimes. Some days are better than others.”

Caroline nodded. “In times like this, it’s always better to take things as they come. One day at a time, trusting God with the future.”

“Yeah. That’s how we’ve been dealing with everything.” Bibi sighed.

“I’m sure you won’t remember all the ups and downs of the past months once the baby arrives,” Caroline said, smiling.

“I hope so,” Bibi replied. 

“Okay, let’s head out.” She said to Caroline minutes later. “I’m ready to have some fun.”

“Bose,” Bibi called out to Bade’s cousin, who had moved in with them recently. “I’m going out with my friend. Call me if you need anything.”

Bose smiled. “No problem, aunty Bibi.”

“Are we going in this?” Bibi pointed at the Jaguar F-Pace SUV in their driveway once they were outside.

“Yes, ma’am.” Caroline winked at her.

“Wow! It’s beautiful,” Bibi stated.

“It was a gift from my dad. You know he was absent from my life and my siblings' while we were growing up. I guess he’s trying to make up for the lost years.”

“Well, I love this for you. You deserve it and much more.” Bibi said.

“Thank you, my friend.” Caroline smiled at her. “Alright, let’s hop in and go have some fun.”

Caroline put the address to the Galleria on her GPS once they were seated in the car. “Okay, Westheimer, here we come!”

Bibi smiled as she took in the views on their way. She liked living in Houston. She hadn’t felt this alive since the accident.

She had been antsy after Bade’s accident. She was the reason Bade had to go out on that ill-fated night, and guilt had eaten her up. She’d expected Bade’s mum to give her an attitude. Instead, everyone showered her with care and understanding. She sent a silent prayer of thanks to God.

She had been listening to Joyce Meyer, the renowned televangelist, and she was starting to let go of the guilt that had plagued her in the past months and learning to embrace God’s love. It was God’s love that had preserved Bade’s life. She could have become a widow just like that.

****

Pere sat at one of the tables in Choppers Restaurant. Nneoma was almost thirty minutes late, and he had begun to get worried that she wouldn’t turn up when he saw her walking into the restaurant in a pink halter-neck dress that stopped at her knee. She was drop-dead gorgeous, and he knew he had it bad for her.

“Hi,” she waved at him. “I am late. Sorry about that.”

“No worries.” Pere smiled.

He stood when she was about to sit and helped pull her chair back.

“Thank you.” She said to him when she was comfortably seated.

“Anytime!” Pere responded.

They sat quietly, lost in their thoughts. Soft music played in the background.

“How are you?” Nneoma said, breaking the silence.

“I've been good. PAGS is doing pretty well these days.”

“Pags?”

“Yeah, Pags is Pere, Akin, George, and Siji.”

“Oh, your company? That's great.” Nneoma smiled. “Sapphire Investments will reach out to you by next week to let you know our decision.”

“Cool beans,” Pere replied, tapping on the table. He hesitated before speaking again. “I was shocked when I saw you in the conference room that day. You were the last person I expected to see there.”

Nneoma snickered. “You couldn't reconcile the girl from the club with the girl in the board room?”

“I couldn't.” Pere nodded. “I can't even lie about that.”

Nneoma chortled.

The waiter came by then. “Can I get you both something to drink?”

“I'll have a glass of Pina Colada, please,” Nneoma answered.

“A glass of wine for me,” Pere responded.

“Red or white?” The waiter asked.

“Red,” Pere answered.

His gaze fell on Nneoma's face and their eyes locked for what seemed like minutes. He had questions on his mind for her.

“So, you like going to nightclubs?” Pere blurted before he could hold his tongue back.

Her long eyelashes seemed to sweep across his face as she gazed at him.

“Yeah,” she answered just as their server placed the drinks on the table. “Are you ready to order food now?”

“Yeah,” Pere replied.

They quickly went through the menu and placed their orders.

“I work hard from Monday to Friday. I work long hours on many days.” She paused to sip her drink. “My work isn't easy, and I go to the club to let down my hair. I am the only girl out of five children. My brothers aren't interested in working at dad’s company. They have other areas of interest. I always feel like I can't ever let dad down, and you know, I am Igbo, and letting me be CFO instead of my brothers is a big deal. So yeah, I go to the club to unwind. I change my looks so people wouldn't easily recognize me.”

“I see. So that explains why you had the blonde wig on the first time we met, or was it a silver wig?” Pere squinted, sitting back in his chair.

Nneoma laughed. “Must have been a blonde wig.”

“You said you were Monalisa that night. Is that your name?”

Nneoma laughed. “Monalisa means aristocratic. It's who I am.”

Pere smiled when he heard her answer. Nneoma was like a box of mysteries. You couldn’t tell what lay inside it. Just when he thought he had her figured out, he discovered another layer of who she was.

The food was delicious, and they ate it with relish.

“I like you, Nneoma, but you know what's going on with me now. I don't know where my wife and child are. I'm in limbo, not knowing how to move on from the present happenings in my life.”

“We can be friends,” she said to him.

“Friends? What with all this chemistry between us?” Pere asked incredulously.

“Do we have chemistry?” Nneoma questioned, shrugging.

Pere lifted his brow, and she laughed. He was right. She couldn't be friends with this fine-looking man who had become the object of her thoughts lately. Who was she kidding?”

****

Adesua cut some of the fabrics she had just purchased. Wole had recently bought her a sewing machine, and she enjoyed drawing styles, creating patterns, and sewing fabrics. For now, she was sticking to children's clothes. It was easier for practicing purposes.

A bird perched on the balcony railing, and she smiled. She grabbed her phone and took a picture of it. It was a beautiful little bird. She stood to stretch her back and do some neck exercises. She had hunched over the sewing machine for a while, and her back felt stiff. She stood to get herself a cup of coffee.

“Wole, is that you?” She shouted when she heard the door to the house make a sound.

“Yep. It is me.” Wole answered.

“I thought you went to the gym. You're back so soon.”

“I did go to the gym an hour and thirty minutes ago and worked out for an hour. Isn't that time well spent at the gym? I'm not trying to be Hulk Hogan, by the way.”

Adesua chuckled.

“I'm just saying so that you know,” Wole responded.

“Well, it feels like you stepped out thirty minutes ago.”

“Nope,” Wole answered.

It was a bank holiday, and she didn't have to attend classes. Tonye was also home.

“How are the children's dresses coming along?”

“Very well. I might sell the clothes on Amazon once I sew them.”

“Uhm…. Good idea. Are you sticking to sizes when you sew? That'll make it easier to sell them online.”

“I wasn't initially, but I am sticking to specific sizes now.”

“Superb,” Wole answered. “Hey, I thought today's a good day for picnicking and sightseeing. What do you think?”

 Adesua smiled. “I'd very much like that.”

“Nice. Do you think you can get ready in an hour and a half?”

“Hmm. I'll try,” Adesua answered, folding the clothes on the sewing machine. “Wait a minute, what about the picnic basket? I could put some sandwiches together, but I'll need to buy some bread. We only have rye bread in this house, and I know you and Tonye detest it.”

“Well, detest is a strong word. I'm not too fond of rye bread.” Wole countered.

“Gotcha,” Adesua responded. “So yeah, it'll take me some time to prepare the food.”

“I've got it.” Wole raised.

Adesua raised a brow. “Really?”

“Well, I'll put in an order for a delivery now.”

“Why don't we do that together?” Adesua chimed.

“What? You don't trust that I'll make the right choice.” Wole said curtly.

“I do,” Adesua said, folding her arms. “I'm just curious to know what you'll order.” “Where are we going, by the way?

“You get to choose,” Wole stated.

“Oh, okay. We can go around Paddington. Maybe the Hyde Park area? Let me go and wake Tonye up. He's been sleeping for a while.

Wole stood to get himself a drink. He'd changed his diet recently and drank only water on most days instead of alcohol and other sugary beverages. Right now, he was craving something other than water. He poured seltzer and some grapefruit juice into a glass and drank all of it at once.

He sighed as he thought about letting Adesua know he would be traveling to Tokyo for a business trip. He had just got back from Dubai, and he didn't know how she would feel about traveling so soon again.

He wouldn't tell her until later that night. He didn't want to ruin the excitement he had seen on her face when he had mentioned wanting to go out with her and Tonye.

She had complained about feeling lonely due to his frequent travels, but he needed to clinch all those business deals to give her and her son a comfortable life. In a few months, she would wrap up her course at the London college of fashion.

They had a fun day, and Adesua was tired when they returned home that night.

“I had so much fun,” Tonye yelled and ran around the sitting room.

“Will you stop yelling, Tonye?” Adesua snapped at him.

“But I had so much fun. I'm sewious about it.” Tonye retorted.

Wole laughed. He reached for Tonye and threw him up.

Tonye laughed and screamed at the same time while Adesua covered her ears with her hands. She rolled her eyes at Wole.” You should be trying to get him to keep quiet.” Adesua told Wole tersely.

Wole ignored her and kept playing with Tonye.

“I guess you can bathe him and put him to bed. I'm going to take a shower.” Adesua stated.

Fifteen minutes later, she was in the shower with her eyes closed when she sensed Wole's presence.

“Wole. Is that you?” She tried to wash away the soap on her face.

“Yeah,” he said as she felt his arms around her.

“What about Tonye?”

“In his room, watching Cocomelon. I didn't want to miss showering with you tonight.” Wole touched her face and rinsed off the soap before planting kisses around her neck and body.

Passion and desire took over. When he carried her into the bedroom and placed her on the bed minutes later, she did her best not to scream from ecstasy. Wole was doing things to her body that no other man had done. Just when she thought she had reached heaven, he took her there over and over.

“Phew! Adesua, if only you knew what you do to me.” Wole whispered in her ear, gently biting it.

He told her about his planned trip to Tokyo when they lay cuddling later.

“Wole, again? You just came back from Dubai.” Adesua said, breaking away from his embrace.

“I know. I'm sorry. It's an impromptu business meeting. I just got to know about it.”

Adesua shook her head and moved away from him. She lay on her side of the bed, refusing to say anything to him. His trips were becoming too many.

“For heaven's sake, you can do a zoom call with your business partners. You'll save money too.”

“I know,” Wole answered. “This is a trip I must embark on and be there in person.” He tried to touch her arm, but she shrugged it off.

“Babe, I'm sorry.” He cooed into her ears. “But you have friends in London, and you can hang out with them. It's not like Zurich, where you didn't know anyone.”

Wole rolled over and picked out a card in his wallet. “This is my American Express gold card. You can charge any amount to it. It's got a limit of 20,000 pounds.”

“Really? I can charge anything to it?” Adesua turned to face him.

“Yep, as long as you don't exceed the limit on it,” Wole answered.

“Aww, thank you. You are the best.” She reached for him and kissed him.

“Well, you are right. I do have friends here.” Adesua said when she broke the kiss.

“So, find some fun things you can do with them. You've been too busy with school lately.” Wole said, kissing her bare shoulders.

“Uhhmm…” Adesua moaned.