*EPISODE 4*
(CLICKED)
(C)Judytex_Stories
Later in the day, Tricia called precious. And she hastily came over to Jeff’s house. When she arrived, they both sat in the sitting room where Tricia opened up to precious.
“You don’t mean it.” Precious shouted when Tricia told her about her mother in-law’s coming.
“My dear, I don’t really know how to feel or react about this honestly.” Tricia said looking worried.
“Frankly speaking Tricia, you brought this upon yourself. I warned you didn’t I?.” Precious said
“Come on precious, this isn’t time for you to start pushing blames on me. As a friend, I called you here expecting you to give me one or two advises. Or probably, anything at all that would help me out of situations like this. For I’m sure you know that I didn’t get to build any bond with my step mum because of the way she treated me and all that. And because of how distant we were to each other, I have totally lost knowledge of how to behave around a mother. And you won’t blame me cause I literally lived all my life, hiding and avoiding the woman I called mother. And now Jeff’s mom would be here soon and I’m scared, lost and confused on what to do, and what not to do around her.” Tricia lamented.
“Well, in that case, I don’t think you have to change yourself or go overboard to please her when she comes. Tricia you are a good girl. Even though your step mom wasn’t that good and close to you, you still grew up fine, intelligent, smart and reserved. So if you ask me, I will advise you to just be yourself around her when she comes. The only thing I think you should do, is give her maximum respect.” Precious said.
“You think that would be good enough?.” Tricia asked.
“Yes my friend. And more importantly, I advise you sit Jeff down, and ask him to brief you on the things his mother likes, and the things she doesn’t like. It’s as simple as that.” Precious said.
“I think that’s a good idea.” Tricia said nodding her head.
“Speaking of Jeff, where is he?.” Precious asked looking around.
“He has gone to work.” Tricia said.
“Oh, I forgot there was no honey moon. But like seriously girl, each time I remember that you actually went into a contract marriage with a total stranger, honestly, my heart skips for you. Gosh! You have a strong heart.” Precious said.
“But honestly so far so good, I still haven’t regretted my decision.”Tricia said.
“Speaking of your decision, how do you intend to cope with Sharing a single room with Jeff?.” Precious asked leaning forward.
“Honestly, that has been my major concern. Cause girl, that guy is f*****g hot. At this point, I’m not actually scared of him making advances at me. I’m only scared of me making advances at him instead.” Tricia said.
“Unbelievable.” Precious said amidst laughter. “What the hell?. Girl, honestly you’ve lost it completely. Don’t tell me you have already started drooling over him when you haven’t gone midway into all these fake marriage of yours.” Precious said totally dumbfounded.
“Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t have romantic feelings for him. Cause he hasn’t done anything to move my heart towards that direction. I’m just appreciating his body. You know how it feels to finally set your eyes on the body of a fresh young guy. After your countless encounter with old men. You really do not want me to go into details.” Tricia said.
“Joke aside Tricia. Whatever it is you feel for that guy, be it lust, infatuation or admiration, I advise you to kill it and bury it down your heart. Cause trust me, you wouldn’t want to know what the end result would look like.” Precious said.
“Come on, you are beginning to take this whole thing too far and serious. I am just admiring him nothing more.” Tricia said.
“Tell that to a kid not me Tricia.” Precious said.
“Okay then, let’s keep that aside for now. So how is your man? How is he doing?.” Tricia asked trying to change the topic.
“We are good. We are cool.” Precious replied.
“Alright then, let me get something for you to drink.” Tricia said standing to her feet.
Back at Jeff’s office, Leo sat opposite Jeff and they discussed.
“What exactly are your plans?. How do you intend to manage this fake marriage of yours before your mother?.” Leo asked.
“Tricia is an actress and she has assured me that she is quite good in acting. So I believe there won’t be any troubles.” Jeff said.
“Speaking of Tricia, how has it been between you guys?. Any new feeling of love or lust?.” Leo asked.
Hearing this, Jeff scoffed and said, “There is no feelings anywhere bro. We are both good in minding our spaces and the business that pays us.” Jeff said.
“Even Tricia?.” Leo asked.
“What do you mean by even Tricia?.” Jeff asked totally confused.
“I mean, how about her?. Doesn’t she feel anything for you?. Hasn’t she tried to seduce you or anything?.” Leo asked.
“Leo!. My goodness. Didn’t you hear when I said we are both good in minding our spaces and the business that pays us?. For Christ sake, she’s old enough to know what contract and agreement is all about. So stop dreaming and wake up to reality.” Jeff said snapping his finger at Leo.
“Hmmmm. Well, I guess something might happen when you both start sharing a single room together. I really can’t wait to see how all these plays out in the end.” Leo said.
“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, the end result has already been decided from the beginning.” Jeff said.
“Is this still because of Kemi?.” Leo asked.
And at the mention of that name, Jeff’s mood changed. He suddenly became calm and moody.
“I said it. I knew you were still in love with her. But why Jeff?. Why are you doing this to yourself?. It’s five years already. Five whole years Jeff. And I expected you to have picked up your pieces and moved on. Why are you still holding back to the shadow of your past?.” Leo asked.
“I think I would like to be alone now.” Jeff said in a serious but sad tone.
“Really?. You are indirectly asking me out of your office?.” Leo asked standing to his feet. “Fine. I will go. I wasn’t going to stay long anyway.” Leo said barging his way out of Jeff’s office.
When he left, Jeff buried his head in his palms and broke down in tears.
When it was evening, Jeff returned home feeling down and moody. He dragged his feet into the sitting room where he walked passed Tricia without noticing her presence.
“Welcome back Jeff.” Tricia said.
But he completely ignored her and made his way into his room where he sat at the edge of his bed with his head buried in his palms.
“Ahn ahn. Did he just ignored my greetings?. He just walked passed me without saying a word. Like I’m invisible or what?.” Tricia asked not believing what just happened. “No I won’t take this from him. If he doesn’t want me to greet him then fine. I will stop. Instead of getting indirect insults.” Tricia lamented clicking her tongue.
“How in God’s name did precious think that I Tricia would fall for such a man?. You know what?. I’m going in there to give him a piece of my mind. Rubbish.” Tricia said angrily standing to her feet.
She angrily walked up to Jeff’s door and was about banging at the door when she noticed that the door was unlocked. She tried pushing it open then she heard Jeff crying.
“Jeff?.” She wondered slowly pushing the door open. Enough for her to peep through.
She peeped through and saw Jeff crying over a picture which he removed from his drawer.
“Why is he crying profusely over a picture?. I guess whosoever is in that picture, must have meant a lot to him. Or is he currently going through heartbreak? But he never mentioned having a girl friend. What’s actually going on?” Tricia wondered restlessly.
She returned to her room and laid on her bed facing the ceiling with so many questions running through her mind. She was restless. And each time she tried closing her eyes, the image of Jeff crying all by himself in his room, kept reflecting in her memory.
“This won’t do.” She said sitting upright. “I’ve got to help him overcome his problems one way or the other.” Tricia said getting off her bed.
She walked up to Jeff’s door and knocked at his door.
Jeff quickly wiped off his tears and put back the pictures inside his drawer. Then he asked,
“Who is it?.”
“It’s Tricia.” She replied.
“Okay?. What do you want?.” Jeff asked.
“A word with you please. It’s very important.” Tricia said.
“Alright come in. The door isn’t locked.” Jeff said composing himself.
Tricia pushed the door opened and stepped in with her face and clothes stained with black dust.
Seeing her in such funny appearance, Jeff couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“What’s that on your face?.” He asked. Pointing at her face.
“Finally he is laughing.” Tricia said within herself. Then speaking to Jeff, she said. “I was learning how to prepare our local delicacies when everything got burnt.” She lied.
“Everything?.” Jeff shouted standing to his feet.
“Yes Jeff.” Tricia replied pouting her lips.
“Oh my goodness!. But why did you do that?. Don’t you know how to cook?.” Jeff queried in annoyance and disbelief.
“I’m sorry. I was only trying to improve my cooking skills ahead of your mom’s visit.” Tricia said with tears in her eyes.
Jeff’s heart melted and he felt touched by her attempt to please his mother even though they were in a contract marriage.
“You know what?. How about I take my time to teach you some of my mom’s favorite dishes instead?.” Jeff said.
“Perfect!. That would be great Jeff.” Tricia said smiling helplessly.
“Alright then. Thank God we still have some food stuffs in the kitchen. So let’s go and make use of the little ones we have. Meanwhile, I expect you to come to the kitchen with your pen and paper to take down my recipes.” Jeff said.
“Sure. Let me go get my pen and paper ready.” Tricia said.
“Good. Do that while I change into something else.” Jeff said offing his suit.
When Jeff got to the kitchen, he was surprised not to have seen any used pot.
“Where’s the pot you used in cooking?.” He asked Tricia who quickly came up with a lie.
“I washed it thoroughly before going to tell you. I was scared you would shout at me if you met it dirty.” She lied.
“Okay, you did well. So, let’s begin.” Jeff said wearing an apron.
He deligently took his time to teach Tricia how to prepare some of his mom’s favorite dishes. And Tricia was impressed with his cooking skills. He tirelessly went on and on, until he noticed that Tricia was feeling sleepy.
“I think it’s best we stop here for today.” He said smiling at Tricia.
“Thank you so much for your tutorials. I really appreciate. And I promise to make you proud.” Tricia said.
“No Tricia. I should be the one thanking you. You helped lightened my mood. Even though it lasted for few hours, i am glad for I was able to forget my worries.” Jeff said smiling profusely at Tricia. “Alright then. See you tomorrow morning.” He said.
“Goodnight Jeff.” Tricia said.
“Good night Tricia.” Jeff replied.
And they both retired to their different rooms.
I can see love around the corner