Tori Ola

by Esther Ebunife

"Please, Julie."

  "Tunde, I ...."

  "I'll pick you up from work when you're through for today. Bye, honey." He kissed her on the cheek and then went back into the cafeteria.

  Juliana was dazed. What just transpired between them? And why did she even let him kiss her? He must be thinking now that she's an easy bait, or worse, a slut. Oh God! She groaned inwardly and moved on to the main building.

  As she entered the elevator to go up to her office, she saw Matthew was in it with three other staffs and Steve. She greeted them all casually and there was silence as the elevator moved upward. The other three staffs got out soon, so it remained her, Matthew and Steve because they were going to the same floor.

  "I told you that I wanted to see you on an important issue." Matthew said. Julie pretended not to hear him, she was not in the mood for his taunts. "Miss Solade?" He asked.

  "Yes, sir. Were you talking to me?"

  "I believe I was."

  "Okay, sir."

  "Well, when I'm through I will send for you." he said.

  "Bastard." she said inside of her.

  "Miss Solade, did you hear what I just said?" He asked, impatiently.

  "Yes sir, I did."

  They soon got to their floor and stepped out of the elevator. Julie went into her office while Steve and Matthew proceeded to his office.

  "What did you plan to achieve by doing this?" Steve asked when they were in his office. Matthew went over to his chair and sat, "She's a lovely woman, that's when she is not nagging me". He smiled, his dimples showed.

  "Why did you kiss her?"

  Because I wanted to. Though I did not plan on kissing her but Steve, she's irresistible and I enjoyed our moment together. I think I have to keep that phoney on." he laughed again. The reason why he did not smile nor laugh when he was with her at that cafe was because of his dimples. If he did, and she saw them, she'd have known he was the one.

  "What happens when she finds out you and Tunde are the same person? You're playing a dangerous game with her, buddy."

  "Well, my second name is Tunde so I didn't lie to her." He laughed.

  "Do you even like her, or are you just joking around with her?"

  "I don't know yet but we'll see about that. For the meantime, I'm comfortable being Matthew her MD, and Tunde her lover."

  Steve shook his head, he wonder when Matthew would ever be serious in a relationship. It's high time he got a woman and start thinking of settling down. He got up soon, bade his friend goodbye and then left. Matthew called for Julie. She came in a few minutes and sat down.

  "What is the important issue, sir?" She asked.

  He smiled, "Actually, it is not an important thing. I just said it was, so that you will come. I only want to comment on your hard work in this company so far as I've seen the records of your work." She did not reply him.

  "Are you not going to say anything?"

  "Thank you, sir. Now may I return to my office?"

  "You may go."

  She stood up and without much as a backward glance, she left. Her anger dissipated when she saw the delivery in her office. It was a bunch of roses and a packet of chocolate. She smiled when she saw who it was from.

  "My sweet queen, a thousand roses can't express how much I love you. See you tonight, babe...

  Tunde."

  She read the note again then she sat and examine the roses, smiling.

  "Wow! So romantic, who sent it?" Beny asked.

  "Back off." She said playfully.

  "Is it from the MD?"

  "Never, I could never accept such from that arrogant bastard." she said.

  "Who is it from? Tell me please."

  Julie did not answer. She faced her computer, already typing, but her mind was not on what she was doing. She was thinking about Tunde and their date that night. Since she closed by six in the evening, he should be there to pick her as he'd promised.

  CHAPTER THREE

  MATTHEW STOOD AFAR off, watching her reaction to the flowers and chocolate he'd sent her. He saw her smile and knew he never want to make her cry, ever. He would do His best to keep that smile on her face. And though he'd told Steve that he does not know if he liked her, deep down in him he know he loves her. Love, he smiled, this would be the first time he'll love a woman. He wanted to make their relationship work, so he'll make sure their date tonight was superb. He hated that he had to disguise as Tunde again, but since that's the only way he could get her to date him then so be it.

  Everyone else had gone home after closing hour except Julie, she stayed behind to complete some work so that she won't have so much to do the next day. Besides her, the only people around were the cleaners, security men, the gateman, and perhaps the MD. She did not notice Tunde come into her office until he got to her side and kissed her cheek.

  "Oh, you are here." She said, surprised at how she didn't realise until he got that close to her. He wasn't wearing his work uniform, rather, he had on a pair of blue jean trousers and a red T-Shirt. He looked strikingly handsome. She pouted when she saw that his shade was on again. Why did he not want her to see his eyes?

  "Are you still busy, honey? It's past closing hour."

  She shut down her computer, "How did you find me?"

  "I asked the security men." He replied.

  "I see ....." She stood up and picked her bag.

  He collected it from her, "Let's go."

  "I want to see if the Managing Director is still in." She said, but Matthew was not in his office when she checked.

  "Why are you checking for the MD?" Tunde asked, curious to know if she has feelings for him.

  "No reason, just wanted to know if he's still in." She said and they moved out of the building, taking the stairs.

  "Or do you by any chance have feelings for him?" He asked her. The disgust on her face when she looked up at him made him realise that he stand no chance to win her heart if he come as Matthew.

  "I can never feel anything but dislike for that arrogant bastard." She was already upset, "I don't like him one bit."

  She'd referred to him as arrogant bastard, and that stung. Why did she hate him so much?

  He led her towards the car he'd brought to pick her, he was careful not to bring the car he usually drove to the office so that she would not discover that he is the one. He opened the car door for her so she got in.

  "I never realise that you have a car of your own." She said when he got in and started the car.

  "Oh no, it is not mine. How would I get enough cash to purchase a car?." He lied.

  "Then whose is it?"

  "My friend's, I borrowed it from him. I want to make tonight very special for us both, especially for you." He hid a smile again.

  She was touched that he'll go to that extreme just to please her, "Thank you, Tunde. But you don't have to do that much for me."

  "You deserve only the best, my pretty."

  She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. He was surprised and showed it, was she falling for him already? He didn't know if he should be happy about that or not. He drove on in silence and they arrived at a very expensive restaurant. He parked the car, got out and went over to open the door for Julie so she could come out too. Juliana was dumbfounded, how could a mere waiter afford to bring her on a date to such a first class restaurant? When he opened the door for her, she still sat in the car and looked up to him, demanding explanation.

  "Honey, don't worry about it. I saved enough for tonight. Trust me." He smiled, but quickly stopped so she won't notice his dimples. He held out his hand for her. She took it and came out of the car. Together, they entered the restaurant and he urged her on towards their table which was reserved for them. It was at a corner and very serene, no one would disturb them there.

  "Wow, I have never been to this kind of place before." She beamed.

  Tunde held out her chair and helped her into it, then he took his seat and signalled the waitress. Juliana watched him go through his menu, ruminating on what to order. The way
he tilted his head and raised a brow, his sitting posture and the way he spoke when he placed his order, made him seem to her like a wealthy person. She also gave the waitress her order.

  A soft music was playing in the back ground. Tunde watched her through the shade and she felt his gaze on her. Their meal arrived and they started to eat. One thing she noticed about him so far was that he love his food, he must have a healthy appetite, she thought.

  "You don't need to spend so much on me, Tunde."

  "You deserve..."

  She hushed him, "I know what you're going to say, but sweetie you need to save for the future."

  He stopped eating to look at her for sometime, as if thinking on what she said. Then he continue eating again.

  "I hope you understand what I mean." She said and he nodded, but still didn't talk.

  "Are you not going to say anything?" she asked.

  He pointed at her barely touched food, "You have not eaten anything." he said.

  "I was not talking about the food."

  "It is bad habit to talk while eating." he said, then finished off the rest of his meal and poured some wine to drink. Julie stared at him in surprise, was he some sort of lecturer or something?

  "How far have you gone in your education?" She asked.

  He pointed to her plate again, "Finish off your food."

  When she saw that he will not oblige until she has done as he says, she picked up her cutlery and started to eat. She was soon through with her food and accepted the wine he poured for her. The waitress came and packed their dishes away.

  "I've completed my degree in Business Administration." he said, answering her question.

  "Oh, really, then why are you working as a waiter when you have such qualification?"

  "No job, babe. Employment is hard to come by these days so I just got anything doing to put food on my table."

  "That's the situation of things here in our country." She said.

  "Yes, it is. I did not bring you here so we could discuss the situation of our country," he said and Julie laughed. "Tell me about yourself." He said.

  They spoke at length and Julie really enjoyed his company. When it was almost nine in the night, he dropped her off at her place with a promise to call her when he got home. Then he kissed her goodnight and left.

  Juliana's father was curious to know about the man who'd taken his daughter out. He asked why she did not invite him in and she said she wanted to inform him first before deciding to bring him home.

  "I hope you'll give in to this one." Her father said, moving over to his bedroom.

  "Maybe I will."

  Her reply shocked him and he turned back to her, "What did you just say?" He asked.

  Julie smiled, "I think I like him, daddy. So, I'll give him a chance."

  Her dad was so happy he couldn't hold himself back, he went to her and embraced her, "That's my girl." He kissed her on her cheek in a fatherly manner.

  Before Julie slept that night, she got a call from Tunde. He said he wanted to hear her voice again.

  When Tunde got home that night, his countenance had changed and his Nanny noticed. He went to meet his dad in his study and greeted him.

  "Dad, I want to have a place of my own." He said.

  "Why?" His dad was surprised, "This house is yours. Why going in search of another?"

  "You don't understand, dad. I'm not saying this house isn't mine. I just want to live alone for some time and experience another side of life."

  "Things are going on well for you, what else do you want?"

  "Come on, Teno, let him do what he wants. He's not a little boy anymore." His mother said, Matthew was pleased.

  "Okay, alright. Go ahead and do what you want." His father reluctantly agreed.

  "Thanks mum, thanks dad!." He smiled and went into his room. The main reason why he wanted to get a place for himself was so that when Julie decided to visit him, he would take her there.

  In a matter of days, he found a two-bedroom flat and rented it. Then he packed just a few of his belongings and set up the place as his home.

  He and Juliana were already seeing each other frequently and it wasn't long before she requested to visit his home. He'd lied to her that he had no family, so she expected him to be living alone. He took her home that Saturday afternoon. They were together in his place till late evening when she decided to go home.

  "Let me see your face." She asked again. It was almost close to two months now and yet he didn't take off his shade.

  "You will see it soon enough, but not now." He kissed her, trying to take her mind off the shade.

  "Why not now?" She asked.

  "Okay, I promise you this weekend." He said.

  "You promise?"

  "You have my word. On Sunday, I'll take you out and then you can see my face. But first, I need to know something."

  "What is it?"

  "Do you love me?" He asked.

  "You don't need to ask me that because I love you so much."

  "Even when you see my face, you'll still love me?"

  "I met you without seeing your face, I fell in love with you without seeing your face. What makes you think that seeing your face will change the way I feel about you. It can't. Because I love you, I love who you are inside not what you are." She smiled.

  "I hope you'll still say that on Sunday." He hoped.

  The next day was a Friday so they closed from work early. Beny had taken the day off so she could be with Steve, the two of them were dating and Julie was happy for her friend because Beny had been in love with Steve for as long as she could remember.

  She took it upon herself to fill in for Beny that Friday and she completed both of their works. She reported to the MD as she always do every Friday, to sum up for the week. She noticed that Matthew had changed towards her. He no longer annoy her and she assumed that he was just fed up of taunting her.

  ON SATURDAY MORNING, Mr and Mrs Badejo called their son to speak to him about settling down.

  "You need a wife." His dad said.

  "And I want grandchildren." That was his mum, "You know you are the only one we have and I want more children. So quickly get a woman and give me many grandchildren o. Enough of playing around with the ladies. You need to settle down now and start a family."

  "You won't need to wait much longer, mum and dad. If tomorrow ends up well for me, I'll bring my woman and introduce her to you." He smiled.

  "Who is she?" They both asked, eagerly.

  He stood up, "Let's see how tomorrow turns out to be first." With that said, he left them. His Nanny went to meet him in his room.

  "Your parents are right." She said.

  "I know you'll say that."

  "Is it Juliana?"

  "Uh?" He was surprised that Nanny Morry knew who he had in mind. But he shouldn't be so surprised because she knew more about him than his mother does. She'd practically raised him since he was a child.

  "I know you have been seeing Juliana Solade so I'm asking if she's the one you want to marry."

  "Since you know so much about me, why don't you try figuring it out yourself and stop bugging me." He lay back on his bed.

  "Hey look here Matthew, just because you're a man now doesn't mean you can talk to me anyhow. I can still place you over my lap and spank you hard."

  Matthew burst out laughing. He knew Nanny Morry was only joking with him. But what a joke!

  "Keep on laughing." She left his room.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  AFTER SERVICE ON SUNDAY, Julie prepared for her date with Tunde. She felt elated that she'll finally see his face. Her phone beeped and she checked the message.

  " Please call me as soon as you receive this message.

  BENY"

  As she was about to dial her friend, Tunde arrived in a different car. It looked

  more expensive and elegant than the first one he took her out with. She made a mental note to call Beny later and then went out to meet Tunde. She ran into his arms and embraced him
tightly. They kissed and got into the car.

  "I guess this is a very special occasion because this car looks more elegant than the first one." She said and he smiled. "Wow, at last you smile. And see, you have dimples. Just like my boss at work, he also has dimples."

  Matthew was hoping she'll get that he's the same person, but she didn't. He guessed she was too excited to notice. They finally got to where they were going. It was a motel and he'd secured a private section for them both, so no one else was there except the two of them. Food and drink had already been set on the table for two. He took her hand and led her to the table. She marvelled at such a place but didn't say anything. He knew she was eager to see his face.

  "God help me," he prayed in his heart.

  They soon finished the meal in silence as usual. And when they settle over a bottle of wine, Julie asked to remove his shade. He smiled, such an eager person she is. He brought out a small box and gave it to her.

  "Open it," he said.

  She frowned, confused, "Is your face inside this box?" She asked and he burst out laughing. He couldn't help it, she was just too funny. She didn't laugh along with him nor did she smile, she just watched him carry on with his laughter.

  "Just open it." He said, and she did.

  She blinked and gasped when she saw the shining, beautiful ring. She looked from the box in her hand to Tunde who was still sipping his wine.

  "What's this for?" She asked.

  "Marriage," he said casually as if she'd asked for the time.

  "What does that have to do with your face?" She asked, though her heart was jumping with excitement.

  "You told me the other day that you love me," he paused then continued, "Now I'm asking you to marry me."

  She smiled, "I will, but first let me see your face."

  He was shocked at her response, she'd agreed to marry him just like that. She came towards him and gave him the ring, then she stretched her left hand to him so that he could slide the ring on her finger.

  "No, I won't until you see my face." He said.

  "Okay," she wanted to remove his shade but he held both her hands.

  "Wait," he said, his heart was already hammering in his chest. There was no way she was going to agree to marry him after she sees who he was. "Promise me that you'll still agree to marry me, even after I reveal my identity to you."