by Osar Adeyemi
"Hey, good to see you again." She smiled as she got to his table. "How're you doing?"
"Good, and you?"
"I'm doing great. Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all," Akeem said, pulling out a chair for her. "How are things with you?"
"Very good. I flew in yesterday on business, and I'm staying at this hotel. What about you?"
"I'm on business and staying here too. What would you like to drink?" He beckoned towards a hovering waiter. She ordered a drink, and the waiter left. "How's your cousin?"
"Oh, Emeka? He's fine. I saw him last week. He was just about to travel out of the country for a holiday."
"Lucky for some. I sure could use a break right now."
Coral raised her eyebrows. "Then have one. You are your own boss. You can go off anytime you choose to."
Akeem smiled. That's what most people thought, but it was not that easy. "I'll do so as soon as I can find the time to spare. I plan to take my family on a long holiday soon."
Coral looked at the wedding band on his finger. "Lucky girl." Her eyes were playful as they met his. "I'm sure you left a trail of broken hearts behind when you got married."
"I think it was the reverse. I was glad to finally find a girl who would have me."
She laughed. "Very funny…" She broke off as the waiter brought her drink. She sat back a little in her chair after the waiter left. "So what has the great Akeem been up to?"
He grimaced. "Great? Quit the flattery." She was good for his bruised ego, though. Sonakson obviously didn't share her opinion.
"I'm not flattering you. I always try to keep up with what is happening around me." She took a sip of her drink. "How long are you staying here for?"
"I've actually completed what I came here to do. But I'll visit our office here for a couple of days more before I go back to Lagos." Truth be told, he was not in the mood to go back to Lagos yet, otherwise he would have flown back that night. He wanted more time to think about the next move to make.
"Oh, great. I'm here for another four days or so." Her eyes roamed over his face as she smiled. "Why not turn this into a working holiday? There are some really nice places I know in this city, and I could take you round."
Akeem knew she was flirting with him again. He also knew that he should give her an excuse and leave, but he didn't want to go to his hotel room just yet. He knew he needed to think through the next plan Ka-Tell would make, but at the same time, he just wanted to switch off and clear his head.
He turned his attention back to Coral. He wondered if she was in a serious relationship. He doubted it; otherwise, she wouldn't be giving out those kind of signals to him. She was an attractive woman, and he wondered what her story was. He took another sip of his drink and half listened as she talked, watching the flash in her eyes and her easy smile as she told him funny anecdotes.
"You haven't changed much, have you?" she asked him after a while.
"How do you mean?"
"You are just letting me talk. That was exactly what you did that first day we met."
"Is that so?" He knew some people liked to talk and, if he had the time, he let them do so.
She leaned forward slightly. "So tell me, what are you thinking about right now?"
"How much are you willing to pay?"
She held his gaze, her eyes challenging him. "Just name it, and it is done."
Tough lady. "Mmmm, interesting, but I'll have to pass on that one."
"Scared?"
"Of you? No way."
"Then prove it."
Akeem smiled. He used to be a master at this kind of game, but he wasn't interested in such things anymore. It was time to call it a night, anyway. He needed to call Yemi. He knew she wouldn't sleep until she had spoken to him. "I'm afraid I have to go now. I have a long day ahead tomorrow."
Coral looked slightly disappointed, but she recovered quickly. "All right, what floor are you on?"
"I use the penthouse suite."
"I'm on the fourth floor, so we can take the elevator together."
They finished their drinks and made their way to the elevator. At her floor, he walked her to her door, and then he rode the elevator up to his own suite.
He stretched out on the bed. His body told him that he was tired, but his mind was still alert. He knew he would have a hard time sleeping that night. He called Yemi.
"I've been trying to reach you," she said when she answered the phone. Her voice sounded sleepy. "I'm missing you, and Aleena wanted to say goodnight."
"So sorry, baby. I went downstairs for a while, and my phone was on silent."
"Are you okay? How did your meeting go?"
"I'll tell you about it when I get home."
They talked for a few more minutes before ending the call. Her tone was a bit quiet. He knew that she was already sensing something was wrong, but he didn't want to tell her about Sonakson because he knew she would fret over it. There would be plenty of time to tell her tomorrow.
He took a shower afterwards. His head was beginning to bang, and he felt a little light-headed; he had been drinking on an empty stomach. As he reached for the phone to order some food, his doorbell buzzed. Strange, he was not expecting anyone. He opened the door and found a smiling Coral on his doorstep. She had a couple of takeaway bags in her hands.
"I remembered you said something about not having had any dinner yet, so I thought I would get some for you." She smiled slightly and raised her brows at him pointedly when he still stood by the doorway. He stepped aside, and she made her way to the table and put the bags on top of it.
Akeem didn't quite know what to make of her visit. "Thanks. I was just about to order some food."
"Good timing, then." She brought out the food along with two disposable plates, cutlery, and a bottle of wine. "You'll like the food. I've been ordering from this restaurant since I arrived here, and I still can't get over the taste."
They made small talk as they ate. She was witty, and he found himself relaxing and enjoying her company. He needed the distraction anyway, something to take his mind off business and Sonakson.
After they were done eating, he disposed of the plates. Then they sipped on the wine and talked some more. She had a very expressive face, and he found himself watching the emotions dance across it as she relayed a funny incident that had happened between her and her cousin.
She paused suddenly and looked at him for a moment; her eyes had that teasing light again. "Where's your mind?"
"I'm right here with you." He told her the last thing she had said, and she laughed. He had to listen to a lot of people all the time, and he had learned how to pick the relevant points as quickly as possible so he could move on.
"Yep, you really were listening to me," she said, still smiling. She gazed into his eyes for a moment. "You really are an attractive man. You know that, don't you?" she said, changing the topic suddenly.
"Am I?"
She leaned forward a little. "You know you are. I wonder how you keep the ladies off you?"
He could smell the fragrance of the perfume she was wearing, something light and feminine. She had changed her top. She had been wearing something more formal earlier on. This one was of a lighter fabric, more feminine. It also had a lower neckline, made even more so as she leaned towards him. He kept his eyes on her face. "I'm a married man now."
She leaned in closer, touching his face lightly with her fingertips. "Well, this particular lady does not mind. Actually, it works perfectly because there is no fear of commitment."
Warning bells were going off in his head. He knew what he should do now: thank her for the meal, plead tiredness, and make her leave. "Coral, I think we should call it a night now," he said, drawing back and trying to put some distance between them.
Her eyes were teasing him, challenging him. She touched his arms, running her fingers lightly over his upper arms and then moving on to his chest. "What are you scared of, big boy?" She leaned in closer still, and when he was still trying to re
cover, she kissed him. Her lips were soft and pliant, promising more. "We're two adults, what's stopping you?" she asked softly before kissing him again.
Akeem sighed, his breath quickening. He tried to fight for control, but it seemed easier to just flow with the feelings she was stirring up in him. He needed the distraction, anyway. He found himself kissing her back as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Wait a minute, Coral…" he said a few minutes later as sanity tried to resurface. What was he doing?
She laughed softly. "Relax," she said as she leaned over and reached into her bag. She brought out a pack of condoms and showed him. "See, I came prepared. It's all okay."
Akeem stared at her. Her arms came round him once more, and he did not want to think anymore as she gently tugged his head towards her again.
∞∞∞
Akeem entered the shopping floor of Estelle and Company. His personal assistant had made an appointment for him at the jewellery shop, so they were expecting him. He introduced himself to the receptionist and a few minutes later, the manager joined him in the reception lounge.
"Very pleased to see you again, Mr. Kadiri," the manager said as he shook Akeem's hand. They exchanged pleasantries. "I have arranged a private viewing room for you, as usual," the manager said. "Please come with me."
"I'd like to see some of your best pieces," Akeem said, following the manager out of the room. "I want to give my wife a pleasant surprise."
The manager's smile didn't seem like it could get any wider. "We got some new pieces just yesterday, and you would be the first customer to view them. I'm sure Mrs. Kadiri would love them."
About an hour later, Akeem left the shop with a beautiful diamond necklace and matching earrings. He had paid a tidy sum of money for them, but he did not mind. He only wished he could also pay to wipe the guilt from his conscience. The jewellery was beautiful, but Yemi would have still appreciated the gifts even if they were imitation stones set on plain metal. That was what made it so hard on his conscience. Only a jerk would cheat on a woman like that, but maybe that was what he was: a certified jerk.
He had carried on with Coral over the past two days. After their first night together, the next one had been easier. He knew he had already crossed the line, so he fell headlong into the affair. He kept telling himself that he needed the distraction; he was still smarting over Sonakson and needed to escape the pressure that their withdrawal was already mounting on him. Ka-Tell was his brainchild. He didn't just want to build upon or expand what had been handed over to him. He wanted to go into other areas, break new grounds, and take KH to greater heights.
He did not have any feelings for Coral. They had both used each other and that was it. He had no intention of continuing the relationship, and now that he had done what he thought he would never do—cheat on his lovely wife—he knew the guilt was not worth it.
The guilt heightened when Yemi hugged him later that evening, when he arrived back in Lagos. He held her close and breathed in her sweet smell. He insisted on bathing Aleena himself and putting her to bed, which delighted the little girl. He hoped his daughter would never know what he had done.
After dinner, he gave Yemi the necklace and earrings.
"They are so beautiful!" she whispered in an awed voice as she looked at the cluster of diamonds set in white gold. She leaned forward and brushed her lips across his. "You must have spent a fortune on these. Thank you so much, honey."
"I love you," he said, holding her close to him. He placed the necklace around her neck and did up the clasp.
She put on the drop earrings and turned to him, her eyes shining with excitement. It was just as he had thought. It sat well on her graceful neck. He could imagine how she would look if she was all dressed up.
A worried frown furrowed her brows. "But honey, I'd feel so unsafe wearing this. I'm sure I'll keep looking over my shoulders."
He smiled. They had made some progress through the years. He remembered her protests over every single expensive gift he bought her when they had just started dating. "Don't worry, baby, it's all insured."
She looked relieved and flashed him a smile as she touched the necklace. "I'm going to check this out in the mirror."
He watched her as she admired the necklace in the mirror of her dressing table. The thought of telling her what he had done came to his mind, but he pushed it back. No, he couldn't do that, could not risk the consequences. Yemi was so innocent. Such things did not exist in her world.
Chapter 12
Yemi looked on as Laide tried on different shoes at Marabelle, a shop in Victoria Island. She and Dotun had finally fixed a wedding date, and everyone was excited at the thought of another wedding in the family.
But in the midst of all the excitement and preparation, Yemi could not help comparing her family's reception of Laide to hers with the Kadiris. There was actually no basis for comparison. Her in-laws were showing no signs of accepting her anytime soon, and she now always made sure that Akeem was with her whenever she went to the Kadiris for a visit.
"What do you think of this pair?" Laide asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"Cool. I like the shape in front, and it's not so crazy high. I'm sure you can wear this for the party after the wedding ceremony."
"But don't you think the other one I just tried on was better?"
"This pair is fine, but let's see the other one again."
She and Laide spent some more time in the store before Laide could make up her mind. They were just about to enter the next store when Yemi saw Sharon Braithwaite coming out. She exchanged pleasantries with Yemi, and Yemi introduced her to Laide.
"So what are you doing now?" Sharon asked Yemi. "Are you working yet?"
Yemi shook her head. "No, not yet." Unless being mummy to an energetic little "miss" and attending high-profile events with her CEO hubby, plus trying to get pregnant counted, she added silently.
Sharon arched her eyebrows slightly but said nothing. She talked some more with them about Laide's wedding preparations and, in the process, found out that Yemi was making the wedding dress.
"Oh, is she? I'm sure she is going to come up with something very lovely. I've seen her designs, and I know what she's capable of."
Yemi tried not to gape at the compliment. She felt Sharon was just being polite. Not that it bothered her. She still made many of her own clothes, and she even had more "friends by association" as she referred to people who had seen her designs on their friends asking her to make clothes for them too. So far, the criticisms she had received were very few and far between.
"Why don't you give me a call anytime you are free tomorrow, and let's talk," Sharon said to Yemi before she moved off. "I just might have something you'd be interested in."
Yemi watched Sharon walk away. She was dressed simply in a pair of jeans and a fitted silk top, but she still managed to make the outfit look elegant.
Laide was excited. "I'm sure that lady has designed clothes for any celebrity worth her salt! Her prices must be way out, though!"
"They are, but she still has to turn away so many people," Yemi said, her gaze still fixed in the direction in which Sharon had disappeared.
"That's what you should do. Open a fashion shop. At least Sharon Braithwaite thinks you're good."
Yemi smiled ruefully. "When you are at the top of your game like Sharon, you can afford to be a little generous with your compliments."
Nevertheless, she called Sharon the next day and could hardly believe her ears when Sharon told her that she wanted Yemi to help her out with some designs for her next collection. She had to muster all the "cool" within her not to squeal excitedly over the phone; Sharon would never do that for anyone, so why should she? The lady was as cool as cucumber, even when she was attending to the wives of governors and such like.
But she did a little dance as soon as she put down the phone. She immediately called Akeem with the news.
"I'm happy for you, baby. So she really did like your designs after a
ll."
"She said she did! But she didn't say anything when she looked at them!"
He tutted. "You've got to believe in yourself some more," he teased.
She met with Sharon later that week. Yemi was still amazed when she saw the experienced tailors that she had in her employ and wondered why Sharon had asked for her help. She got her answer later as Sharon spoke to her.
"Some people can design but can't sew, and others can sew excellently but are not creative," Sharon said. "But not very many people can combine both the way that you do." Her eyes narrowed a little as she surveyed Yemi, as though trying to fathom her out. "I believe it's mainly just a gift, because you certainly don't put in as much work as some of the more experienced people I've dealt with. Neither do you plan to do anything with it." She wrinkled her nose slightly, as if she was not impressed, and Yemi was reminded of her mother-in-law's face. "Nevertheless, I have to admit that your work is good, and you're very talented."
Yemi's face remained bland. So she was being told she was neither hardworking nor driven. Well, this was a hobby that she enjoyed. Accounting was work, and designing and sewing were fun.
"I need some really good designs for this collection," Sharon continued. "I'm planning a big fashion show, much bigger than anything I've done in the past. Dan has had to take some time off because of his wife not being very well at the moment," she said, referring to her trusted head tailor. "But nevertheless, I'm still not going to use just anybody because I'm hard pressed. I'd rather postpone the event than do that."
Sharon wanted Yemi to work with Danila, a type of cotton fabric, and to combine it with any other fabric to create a smart casual line. Yemi remembered that she had done some similar designs on the sketchpad that Sharon had looked at.
She smiled when Sharon brought up the topic of payment. It was funny to her that she was being offered payment for something she enjoyed doing. Nah, this was training for her. She declined. Sharon didn't try to make her change her mind; rather, she offered Yemi free courses that she personally supervised.
