*EPISODE 10*
(LOVE AND DECEPTION)
Benjamin was restless and anxious about going on a date with Beatrice. He was walking from one end of his office to the other when Belinda entered.
“Good morning sir.” She greeted shutting the door behind her.
“Good morning Belinda. How are you this morning?.” He asked forcing a smile.
“I’m fine sir. You came very early to work today. Is there something I can help you out with?.” Belinda asked.
“Not at all dear.” He said.
“Alright but you look tensed. I hope all is well sir?.” She asked curioused.
“All is well Belinda.” He replied sitting back on his seat.
“Your face says otherwise though.” She said shaking her head as she turned to leave.
“Wait Belinda. I think I will be needing your help on something.” He said.
“And what could that be?.” She asked curioused.
“Do you know of any quiet place or a less crowded place in town where I can hangout and relax for a while?.” He asked.
“Emmmmm…..I think I know of a place.” She replied.
“Good. Get ready. You are taking me there right now.” He said.
“Right now? Like, this early morning?.” She asked surprised.
“Yeah. Infact let’s take a day off.” He said reaching for his suit and suitcase.
“This is serious.” Belinda said to herself as she watched him pack his things.
“Come with me.” He said leading the way.
“Something is definitely not right with him this morning.” Belinda said to herself as she followed him from behind.
When they got to the car, Benjamin opened the car door for her. She kept wondering what was going on as she entered the car.
Through her direction, they finally arrived at a less crowded eatery. Entering inside, Benjamin looked around and asked,
“Are you hungry?.” He asked.
“I had tea for breakfast this morning. And I’m not yet hungry. But why do you ask?.” Belinda asked marvelled.
“Then why bring me to an eatery of all places?. Are we on a date or something?.” He asked.
“I thought you asked for a less crowded place?.” Belinda asked not believing his reaction.
“Oh yes I did. I mean, there could be somewhere better than an eatery. I just want to cool my brain.” He said.
“Wow! This is more serious than I thought. So, where exactly do you want me to take you to? Or were you expecting a hotel, motel or a guest house?.” She asked curioused.
“Something of that nature. But not exactly that.” He said.
“I’m confused as it is now. Where exactly do we go from here?.” She wondered.
“How about we go to your house?.” He asked.
“My house?.” Belinda shouted in disbelief. “Do you want my mother to kill me? What kind of a daughter brings her boss to her home for relaxation?.” She asked.
“Come on, you are 25 already.” He said.
“And so? In the eyes of our mothers, we are still that little baby they once breastfed.” She said.
“Alright. I will handle it my own way.” Benjamin said bringing out his phone from his pocket. And dialed Belinda mother’s phone number. “Thank God. It’s ringing.” He said.
“And who are you calling?.” She asked curioused.
“Your mother of course. I need to seek her permission. Since it’s obvious that you are scared of getting beaten.” He teased.
“What? You are joking right?.” She asked.
“I’m not a joker and you know that. Infact, let me put the call on loud speaker.” He said smiling mischievously at her.
“What has gotten into him this morning?.” Belinda stood Wondering in confusion and disbelief.
“Hello…who is this?.” Belinda’s mother asked as soon as she picked the call.
“Mom? So you were serious about this?.” Belinda whispered to Benjamin who placed his finger across his lips signalling her to shut up.
“Good morning ma’am. This is Benjamin Gideon from Gideon’s company.” He said.
“Good morning sir. Has my daughter done something wrong?.” She asked curioused and worried over the phone.
“Not at all ma’am. She hasn’t done anything wrong. I just called to seek your permission on something.” He said.
“Okay. My permission on what exactly?.” She asked.
“Well, I need your permission to go rest in your house for a while. I hope it’s okay with you?.” He asked.
“Rest in my house?.” She asked confused.
“Yes ma’am.” He replied.
“Please can you give the phone to my daughter? I would like to speak with her.” She said.
“Okay ma’am.” He said handing the phone to Belinda who quickly removed it from loud speaker.
“Mom. It’s me.” She said.
“Belinda what’s going on? Is there anything that I need to know? Why is your boss talking of going to the house?.” Her mother asked all at once.
“Mom it’s nothing serious. He just needed a quiet place to handle some important business.” She lied.
“Ooookay….. If that’s the case then you can take him home. But make sure you don’t lose yourself around him. Always be vigilant and if he tries anything funny, call for help. I hope you understand?.” She asked authoritatively.
“Yes Mom. We will only be making use of the sitting room.” She said.
“Better. And I hope you are aware that you didn’t sweep the house before rushing off to work?.” She asked.
“Jesus!. Mom and you didn’t help me out?.” She asked.
“I was also running late for my business. So I left the house in a hurry too. Anyways, you better devise a means to rearrange that room cause it’s a complete mess. Bye.” She said ending the call.
“Why the shout earlier?. I hope nothing bad happened to her?.” Benjamin asked.
“No. She has agreed to let you go over to our house and rest for a while.” She said.
“Alright then let’s get going already.” He said smiling at her.
“Oh God….I hope this woman did not drop her bra on the couch as usual?.” She thought to herself while imagining how messy their room would be.
They finally arrived at Belinda’s house and she hurriedly stepped out of the car.
“What’s going on?. Why are you in such a hurry to go in?.” Benjamin asked.
“Please can you wait in the car for some minutes?.” She said pleading.
“Why?.” He asked confused.
“My house is a mess right now. Let me go and put it in order before you come in. Please.” She pleaded.
“Alright. Don’t keep me waiting.” He said waving her off.
Belinda quickly ran through the gate into the compound.
“Hahahaha. This is hilarious.” Benjamin said laughing at Belinda acts.
Belinda entered into their sitting room and started rearranging the room. When she was done, she informed Benjamin.
As soon as Benjamin entered the sitting room, he started looking around.
“It’s been long since I visited this house.” He said smiling.
“Please do make yourself comfortable.” Belinda said pointing at the couch. When Benjamin sat down, she went on to ask. “So, what do I offer you?.”
“Chicken and chips.” He teased.
“And where do you expect me to get that from?.” She asked laughing.
“I’m not hungry. Just get me a drink and please turn on the television or better still get me any game playing device. I just need something to keep me busy for a while.” He said.
Few minutes later, they were both seated next to each other watching movie. They both laughed and chatted freely like they used to. The more Belinda smiled brightly, the more Benjamin’s heart fluttered. He was lost staring at her lustfully.
“Are you okay?.” Belinda said waving at him.
“Oh. Yes I was just carried away with something.” He said.
“You know, you’ve been acting strange today. What’s the problem?.” She asked curioused.
“Nothing serious. Just some family issues. You know, being the first son and everyone is expecting your life and choices to be nothing but perfect.” He said.
“Rich people with their own problems. Everything about you guys are just like what we watch on movies.” Belinda said.
“Talking of movies, can you please change this channel to a better one?.” Benjamin said trying to change the topic.
Belinda picked the remote from the table and changed the channel to a different one only to see that the movie playing was a romantic and erotic movie. She tried changing the channel but Benjamin stopped her.
“Hahahaha…What are you trying to do? Are we still kids or haven’t you experienced anything like this before?.” He teased collecting the remote from her.
“And who said I have? Besides, this kind of scenes makes me uncomfortable.” She said
“Are you for real? At your age?. Hahahaha. You’ve got to be kidding me Belinda.” He said laughing at her innocence.
“Can you please change the channel, they are too raw and the romance is too intense.” She said.
“Wow. This won’t do. How about I calm your nerves a little?.” He asked gazing at her.
“And how do you intend to do that?.” She asked curioused.
“Close your eyes.” He said.
“You better not try anything stupid with me Benjamin.” She warned closing her eyes.
“Hahahaha…as if she has power.” He teased laughing out loud.
“Not until you…..” Before Belinda could finish her statement, she felt Benjamin’s lips against hers. Out of shock and disbelief, she opened her eyes so wide that it could send a hole through his head. She resisted at first but Benjamin didn’t stop. Before she knew it, she lost herself to him freeing her mind, body and soul. And letting the emotions flow.
Benjamin slowly placed Belinda’s hands on his shoulder as he used his left hand to pull her waist closer to himself. They were still kissing when they heard a knock at the door.
Belinda quickly came back to her senses and pulled away from Benjamin.
“I think someone is at the door.” She said standing to her feet. She was not in her rightful senses anymore as she staggered to the door. Pulling it open, she found Felix standing at the front of her door.
“Felix?.” She called out in surprise.
“Hi Belinda. I spoke with your mom on phone. And she told me you took a day off today. So I decided to stop by and check up on you. I hope you are fine?.” He asked rubbing her hair.
“Yes am fine.” She replied.
“By the way, I saw Benjamin’s car packed outside and I began to wonder if he dropped by as well.” Felix said.
“Yes….he is…” Belinda stammered.
“Yes I dropped by. Any problem?.” Benjamin asked walking up to them.
“Wow. Are you sure your girlfriend would be happy when she finds out that you are here with another woman?.” Felix asked.
“Girlfriend? You have a girlfriend?.” Belinda asked feeling used.
“Felix watch your mouth. I do not have a girlfriend. What’s the meaning of all these?.” Benjamin asked in anger.
“Okay, let’s assume you don’t have any. Then what do you have to say about your upcoming date with my sister? I was told the two families has come to an agreement that the both of you would go on several dates after which you will both be engaged. Isn’t it?.” Felix asked.
“What games are you trying to play Felix?.” Benjamin asked surprised.
“I won’t allow you to keep deceiving Belinda like you did before. You have to be a man and make your choices not going back and forth in people’s lives.” Felix said.
“Benjamin is it true? Are you going on a date with Beatrice?.” Belinda asked.
“Yes. But it wasn’t my decision. It’s…..” He tried to explain himself.
“Enough Benjamin. So why did you do what you just did? Do you think I was cheap because I am not from a rich home or what?.” Belinda yelled at him.
“Belinda it’s not what you think. Everything I’ve shown you so far are real and genuine. Someone is trying to create unnecessarily misunderstanding between us.” Benjamin said glaring at Felix.
“Don’t listen to him Belinda. I’ve told you before that, you will get hurt if you ever try to develop feelings for him. Which is why I have come to ask you to please go on a date with me just like I’ve requested before.” Felix said.
“Unbelievable. Felix can you hear yourself talk? You want her to go on a date with you? And who said she will agree to go on a date with a back stabber like you?.” Benjamin raged at Felix.
“Fine. I will go on a date with you Felix.” Belinda said looking straight into Benjamin’s eyes.
“What? why would you do a thing like that?.” Benjamin asked Belinda in disbelief.
“Because I have no reason not to. If you can go on a date then I can as well go on a date. So Felix, how about we make it a double date?.” She asked turning to Felix.
“A double date?. Have you gone out of your mind?.” Benjamin asked.
“Cool. That would be perfect.” Felix agreed.
“Good. Just make sure you book thesame hotel, thesame eatery and everything they would be booking on that day. I want to have a date right on their faces.” She said glaring at Benjamin who was speechless.
