*EPISODE 6*
(THE GIRLS CLUB)
“How did you find me? Were you tailing me or something?.” Philomena asked curioused.
“I’m sorry. I heard from my girlfriend that you would be attending the girls club hangout tonight so I came and waited for you outside.” Joshua said.
“Then why didn’t you call on my attention there? Why did you watch me leave the location before you started following me from behind? What if I didn’t stop? Would you have followed me to my house instead?.” She asked curioused.
“Not really. I’m sorry. I was on a call when you came out and drove away. so I had no option than to follow you. So can you spare me some minutes of your time? I would like to briefly interview you on something very important. I promise not to take much of your time.” Joshua pleaded.
“I’m not actually in the mood for all these though. Alright then, where’s the location?.” Philomena asked.
“Emmmmm….just turn your car around. Let’s go over to a nearby eatery or any open place of your choice.” Joshua said.
“Alright. I know of a perfect place. Follow me.” She said whining up her glass.
Joshua rushed back to his car and started his car engine. Few minutes later, they both arrived at an open eatery.
“So, what would you like to have?.” Joshua asked as soon as they sat facing each other.
This came as a surprising thing to Philomena who has never been given the opportunity to make choices for herself. It was always Lawrence who makes selections and choices for her just as he pleases.
“Anything chilled will do.” Philomena replied fighting back tears.
“Alright. Waiter!.” Joshua called out to the waiter who walked up to them with a menu.
“Good evening sir, good evening ma’am. What would you like to have?.” He said offering them the menu.
“Just get me chilled water. Then you can ask her what kind of drink she would like to have.” Joshua said.
“I think I will also go with the chilled water.” Philomena said.
“Are you sure water will be enough? You are free to make your choice though.” Joshua urged.
“Alright. I think I would like to have……chilled grape juice.” She said pointing at it in the menu.
“Alright. I will be back shortly with your orders.” The waiter said collecting the menu from Philomena. After which he walked away to get their orders.
“Okay, so, what’s this important interview all about?.” Philomena asked leaning forward.
“Well, like I said earlier, my name is Joshua and i work with daily news magazines. And I have a confession to make.” He said smiling.
“What confession? Do you have feelings for me?.” Philomena asked curiously.
“Not really. It’s just that I’ve been your fan for a long time now.” He revealed.
“Wow! Really?.” Philomena asked surprised.
“Yeah. I watched all your live shows, interviews, advertisements and your short educative and emotional movies. I also know how much love you have for the girl child’s education.” He revealed.
“Oh my God! You are truly my fan. Are you that obsessed with me? The way you kept record of things that even I have forgotten really amazed me. Are you sure your girlfriend is comfortable with your fanboyism?.” Philomena asked smiling brightly. It was the first time in a long while that she had a smile so bright.
“What a beautiful smile you’ve got.” Joshua said looking deep into her eyes.
“Your orders are here.” The waiter said interrupting their conversation as he placed their drinks before them.
“Thank you.” Philomena said.
As soon as the waiter walked away, Joshua continued.
“The thing is, we are walking on a girl child’s project. So if there is anything about yourself, your past, current and future projects, that would be beneficial to this project, then I would like to hear you spill them out. Moreso, I would like to get things about your relationship.” Joshua said.
“So, what exactly would you like to know about my relationship?.” She asked curioused.
“Everything. The lessons, importance and disadvantages of being in a relationship as a young girl. And I will appreciate it if you have an idea of how domestic violence or a broken home affects a child’s life. We just want to talk about real life issues that can be educative and informative to the girl child.” He said.
“Why me of all the celebrities in this town? Why did you come looking for me instead?.” Philomena wondered.
“Well, let’s say, as your fan, I’ve watched you shown interest in girl child’s educational programs. Others do read from the script when addressing some certain issues surrounding a girl child but your case is different. Everything you say, all the instances you give, sounds like a reflection of what you’ve experienced. Sometimes it sounds like it’s coming from a place of pains. You have done this in different girl child’s educational tv programs which gives me the hunch that you have a story to tell. I don’t know what it is, but I can feel it.” He said.
“I’m sorry. This conversation is over. Whenever you want to interview me on personal issues like this, I will advise you go through my manager.” She said standing to her feet.
“What manager? You mean your boyfriend? I’m afraid I don’t want to have such conversations with him. I don’t think he is who he always portrays to be. I know there is more to him seeing how he hijacks everything that concerns you. If you ask me, I would say, he is more like your boss rather than a lover. Cause I know what real lovers looks like. I don’t know what exactly you are trying so hard to hide away from the public. But my dear, it will only kill you slowly. I’m always here if you need someone to talk to. Here’s my card. Call me whenever you are ready to talk. And thanks for your time.” Joshua said putting his business card into her bag.
“I don’t know what it is that you want to hear from me. I don’t know who sent you. But please stay away from me. Whatever I’m passing through should never be your business. And if you really appreciate being alive, then it’s best you avoid me. Cause my boyfriend is a jealous lover. Thanks for juice.” Philomena said. She then grabbed her bag from the table and Walked away.
“Hmmmm. This confirms my suspicions. I believe there is something big she’s trying so hard to hide.” Joshua said clicking his hand.
Reaching home, Philomena was about walking into her room from the sitting room when she saw Lawrence sitting impatiently on the couch glaring at the wall clock in a scary way. Immediately she saw him, her heart skipped.
“Where are you coming from?.” He asked standing to his feet with his belt.
“Please. Can we not do this today? I had a very rough day.” Philomena pleaded.
“Ooh! So you’ve grown wings. You now have the nerves to talk back at me in my own house?.” He asked greatly irritated
“Lawrence for goodness sake. I’m just returning from the girls club hangout.” Philomena said.
“Really? You now have the effrontery to tell lies to me right?.” He raged.
“I don’t understand. What are you even talking about?.” Philomena asked totally confused.
“Who was the man you hanged out with this night?.” He yelled.
“What man are you talking about? I didn’t hang out with any man for goodness sake. Lawrence what’s it this night?.” She asked feeling tired.
“So you want to keep up with your lies? Okay. Take a look at this.” He said throwing some pictures at her.
Philomena bent down and picked the pictures. Looking at it, she was shocked to see herself and reporter Joshua sitting in the eatery.
“Oh! you mean this? Sorry it skipped my memory. He is a reporter I met on my way home. He said he was working on a project that centers on a girl child. So he wanted me to give him some ideas since I’ve worked on projects and programs that concerns the girl child. That’s all that happened Lawrence.” Philomena explained.
“Blatant lies. You think you can fool me? Or have you suddenly forgotten about what I can do?.” Lawrence raged.
“I’m speaking nothing but the truth Lawrence. I have no reason to lie to you knowing fully well of the things you could do to me. I’m not that naive or stupid to play with my life.” Philomena said trying to pacify the situation.
“Then you should have thought about it before going out with a man. You should have thought about it before smiling so brightly at another man. You of all people should have referred him to me your manager. But you chose to hang out with him and here you are coming up with some cheap lies to save your skin. Philomena I made you. I own you and I get to decide who you meet at all times. So you called for the punishment that is about to befall you.” He said lifting up his belt.
“Lawrence please. I beg you to spare me this once and I promise it won’t happen again. I won’t attend to any male reporter without your permission again. Please spare me this once.” Philomena pleaded with tears in her eyes.
But all her pleas fell on deaf ears as Lawrence flogged the hell out of her that night and when it was 2am, he came again and met her still lying on the floor. He then forcefully had marathon s*x with her. After which he left her motionless on the ground.
