Juliana did not even think twice before promising. She just wanted to see his face. He took a deep breath and then released her hands. He was not ready to lose her now that he'd had her for himself.
Julie removed that shade from him and the smile on her face vanished.
"Matthew?" She asked, surprised. Then stepped back from him. He caught her arm and brought her closer to him.
"You promised me." He said.
"You lied to me." She whispered, still surprised at how she had not noticed earlier before now. The shade, the expensive cars, expensive restaurants, the ring, the dimples. Her excitement and love for him had made her throw all caution to the air.
As if struck, she withdrew from his embrace, took her purse and made to leave. He caught her again before she could go.
"Leave me alone." She fought against his hold on her but he refused to let her go.
"Let's sort it out here, Julie. I'm not letting you go until we sort this out."
"Okay, let's sort it out boss." She said, tears already springing to her eyes. How could she have been fooled by him.
"I did not mean to deceive you. I wanted to be with you. I loved you, Julie. I still love you and I still want to be with you. I knew the only way you would accept me is if I come as Tunde. I was afraid of losing you that's why......."
"That's why you decided to lie," she said for him, "This relationship is built on lies. And I believed them all, I believed you. I trusted you!" She nearly screamed into his face. "I even agreed to marry a liar."
"I'm sorry," he apologised and went down on his knees to plead with her. The fact that he'd hurt her stung him, but the thought of losing her was going to rip and shred his heart in pieces.
"Sorry for yourself, because this may be the end." She hissed and left. When she got out of the motel and entered a taxi to her place, she let the tears run down her face. How so much she'd loved him. She didn't know which one hurt her the most. Is it that he lied to her, or she'd let him go. The taxi got to her place. She paid the driver and was about to leave when the driver spoke to her.
"You won't shed those much tears if you did not love him deeply. And love forgives. So if you love him as much as I think you do, you will find it in your heart to forgive him." With that said, he zoomed off. Unknowing to her, she'd been whispering all along the way and so the driver had heard her and knew a man had betrayed her. She went inside and was grateful that her daddy had slept. She was in no mood to explain anything just yet. She entered her room and lay facedown on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. Beny's message came through to her phone again.
"Please call me, this is urgent.
BENY."
She switched off her phone and just lay there on the bed.
Matthew watched Julie go, he did not know what to do. He stood up and kept the ring, then he dialled Steve to come and pick him up, he could not drive in the state he's in.
"Hey dude, what's the matter?" Steve asked him when he got to where Matthew was.
"Just take me home, please." Matthew said.
When he got home, he didn't answer anybody, not his parents nor Nanny. He just went straight to his room, locked the door and fell on the bed.
Meanwhile in the living room, Steve was being bombarded with questions about what happened to Matthew.
"I said I don't know!" He said and left them.
The following day was Monday. They all went to work as usual, but Matthew could not bring himself to check on Juliana and she too did not bother to go to his office.
"Julie, did you not receive all my texts?" Beny asked her, and she nodded. "Then why did you not respond?"
"Please Beny, let me be."
"Are you okay?"
"Beny!" Steve called her from the door to their office and beckoned on her to come.
"Just a minute," she said and slid a paper towards Julie, before leaving with Steve.
Juliana read the note Beny left her...
"Much as I like Steve, I cannot connive with him. I think he has skeleton in his cupboard. Please, try to warn Matthew. I already know that Tunde is Matthew, Steve told me everything. Matthew loves you, please find it in your heart to forgive him. The worst is yet to come and you both need each other. You may not see me again because I plan to travel out of the country before Steve finds out that I know what he's up to. Take care my friend....
BENY."
Julie did not even know what to do at first. She was still mad at Matthew, but she still loves him and not want any harm to come to him. At lunch hour, she went to his office, but he was not there, so she went in search of him and found him with a lady by his car. The lady hugged him.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Yes I am, Linda. I have no girlfriend, I am single." Matthew said.
Juliana could not believe her eyes and ears. They just had a quarrel the previous night and now he denied her existence? And here she was, thinking to give them another chance. She could not hold it in anymore and she went out to the two of them.
"We had a quarrel last night and today you are off to another woman, despite the fact that you're the one at fault." She accused him and left them alone.
Matthew was at loss for words, he didn't mean what he said to Linda. It was all a game, nothing serious. He could not go back into the company, so he drove back home and packed a few of his things. He called his dad and told him he was going on a vacation to ease off his mind, he said.
"Now is the time to strike." Steve told Linda.
"Do you think it's going to work according to plan?" She asked him.
"Yes, I'm sure. I can't find Beny but I hope she meets us soon. She's a very useful asset to us."
Work went on as usual but Julie didn't see nor heard from Matthew. She was heartbroken, how she wished she could also take a break from work. Due to her inner turmoil, she forgot the note Beny gave her on her table and went home. Steve saw the note and knew that Beny had betrayed him. He then plan to make sure Juliana and Matthew never be together so she won't disclose it all.
Things changed drastically and her life turned upside down when, three months later, the CEO and his wife were gone and her father landed in jail. Julie couldn't do anything but watch the whole episode unfold. Then she remembered Beny's note to her, but she couldn't find it anymore.
"Matthew," she cried silently, "Matthew, where are you? Please come back to me, I need you."
CHAPTER FIVE
MONDAY MORNING...
Juliana rose up early as usual to prepare for work. The weekend didn't go well for her as she battled the thought of seeing Matthew again. She stood still under the shower, letting the water pour freely on her, while her mind swirl again in jeopardy. He had returned from his three-month holiday and would resume work again that very Monday. Juliana stopped the shower and buried her face in her hands, this was going to be a bad day. She love her work, but she dreaded facing her supposed fiance again.
After saying her prayers, she picked up her car keys, ready to leave for work. Checking everywhere and seeing to it that all was in place, she locked the door.
"Good morning, Auntie Julie." Aina, her neighbour's daughter greeted. She smiled back at her and made for her car.
"Auntie Julie, please could you drop me off at my school?"
"No problem, let's go."
When they were both in the car, she started the engine and drove gently from the compound then headed for Aina's school. She used to take Aina to school every morning if the girl got ready early. After she dropped her, she drove straight to work.
IT'S BEEN MONTHS SINCE Matthew woke early in the morning to prepare for work. The vacation period did nothing to ease his troubled mind, rather, the tension was higher especially when his father died. Mr. Teno Badejo was a very smart and clever businessman and this made the Badej company one of the prominent and well-sort after. Matthew was always proud of his father's successes. Though he knew he would be the CEO after his dad, he wasn't prepared to take up the role that soon in life. Still
in his late twenties, he'd thought he had a long time before taking up the huge responsibility of running the company. Well, he'd thought, by then he would have had her fully to himself and by his side.
"Juliana." He sighed, then got out to go to work.
"A cup of tea for you." Nanny Morry said, presenting a steaming cup full of well-prepared tea.
"Thank you, Nanny." He collected, it, took a sip, and put the cup down on the table.
"Don't tell me you're done with that. Make sure you finish it all up."
"I am no longer a child. I know what I want."
"What you want may not be what you need, sweet boy. Now drink it all, you need it." Nanny Morry did not leave the table until Matthew finished drinking the tea. She kissed him on the cheek and waved him off. Matthew took his car keys and drove off to work.
Nanny Morry had always been like that, she always treated him like a little boy who cannot tell his left from his right, even though he was already close to thirty. He'd known her all his life, and even though she gets on his nerves most of the time, he still loved her. And even though she was not his biological mother, she'd always been there since he was a born and raised him herself. She did not get married, but devoted herself to taking care of him.
He smiled in greeting to the gateman when he got to the company, and parked his car in the garage. Then he went in and took the elevator to his office. He knew Juliana was around but he was still nervous to face her.
"GOOD MORNING, MA."
"Good morning, ma."
The staffs chorused when she got in. Julie smiled at them and replied their greeting before moving into her office. None of her colleagues were present yet until some minutes before eight. As usual, she's the first to get to work before them. She boot up her computer, ready for the work of the day. Working in Badej company had been Julie's dream and she felt on top of the world to have achieved just that. That's why she gave it her best shot, doing all that's expected of her. In her few years of working in the company, she'd been compensated many times and she did not relent in her hard work. But what happened of recent had made her so down that she did not even know what she wanted in life again.
"Morning, Miss Solade." Matthew Badejo, the new CEO, stood at the door to her office, arms folded and smiling. No longer the MD, but the CEO. Julie smiled back at him. She couldn't help it when he smiled. He really was a very handsome man with a well-built body, who without a smile would've made a lady's knee buckle, and with his charming smile and adorable dimples, any lady would swoon.
"Good morning, sir." She greeted him and continued her work, though she could not concentrate on what she's doing. It felt odd that they're communicating formally. She wasn't engrossed in the work, she was just trying to avoid him. When Matthew refused to leave, she looked back at him and asked, "Is there anything you want, sir?"
"Cut off the 'sir'" he strode into her office and stood by her desk.
"We're at work."
"No one is around, so please stop the formalty."
"Sir......."
"Matthew." He corrected.
"Sir Matthew."
"Cut off the 'sir'". He sat on the edge of her desk opposite her, looking straight in her eyes.
"Okay, Matthew."
"That's better." He smiled again.
"Excuse me, sir." Foluke, his secretary called, "Mr. Steve is here to see you."
"Okay, I'll be there." He told her, and Foluke left.
They stared at each other for a while, then Matthew held her hand but she jerked it away from him. He sighed and left her office. Juliana heaved a sigh of relief when he'd gone. This was going to be a long day.
Half-way through the day, a delivery came for her. It was a bunch of roses like the ones she received from him when he was still Tunde to her.
"Wow!" Her colleague exclaimed. "I'm sure they're from Mr Badejo." Angela, colleague and friend to both her and BENY, said but Juliana hissed.
"Why won't you forgive him? He already apologised to you, Julie....." Angela was saying when Julie's phone rang.
"Please have lunch with me. I'll be waiting for you at the cafe." That was Matthew.
She was no longer angry with him, she just didn't know what to do.
"Is the call from him?" Angela asked, a smile already playing at her lips.
"I'll be back." Julie took her handbag and left for the cafe.
MATTHEW CHECKED HIS wristwatch again, it's been fifteen minutes ago since he called Juliana to meet him at the cafe. He didn't call her again so that she would not get upset, he only hoped and prayed that she show up 'cause he need to apologise to her for as many times as needed for her to forgive him. He remembered the night Juliana had found out the truth about him and when she caught him telling Linda that he had no girlfriend.
"Oh crap!" Matthew said to himself over and over again. He'd not meant to hurt her, he just wanted to protect the image of the company as Steve had told him to. Now he realised that lies does not help solve any issue, rather, it aggravates it. But how can he explain to Juliana? He sighed heavily, then jumped when a hand touched his shoulder. Looking up, he saw that it was Juliana.
Oh, thank God you came.
He stood up and drew out a chair for her to sit on.
"Sorry, I did not mean to startle you," she sat, "What were you thinking about?"
"I wasn't sure you would come." He sat opposite her and signalled the waitress. "What will you take?" He asked.
"I'll take juice."
"Eat something." He tried to persuade her, but she sent him a hard glare which made him oblige to her choice.
The waitress collected their order and left them, with a promise that she'll be back in a few minutes, which she did.
Juliana sipped her juice and watched while Matthew ate. The waitress had accepted the tip he gave her when she brought his meal and her juice. The token he gave her as tip was a shocker to the lady because it was a huge amount. Julie hid her smile as she watched him. If not for what had gone wrong with them, she would have been happy and filled with pride to be with the man who could give out such huge amount of money as a token.
He was almost through with his mean when she spoke up.
"Thanks for the roses, they're beautiful." She kept quiet and watched him, waiting for him to talk. Matthew shifted uneasily in his chair.
"Want to say something?" She asked him. She knew he was feeling uncomfortable and guilty, but she needed answers.
"Hmmm... Yes." He said finally.
"I'm all ears." She sipped her juice again while listening to Matthew's apologies. When he was done, he looked at her hopefully. "I've heard your apologies, but I need explanation."
He ran a hand through his hair, "Julie, there's nothing to explain because nothing I say can justify what I did to you. When we had the quarrel, Steve said it would affect the company's image if the Press heard about it so he advised that I go out with Linda just for that moment. Believe me Juliana, I have nothing to do with Linda. I know I have hurt you and I am sorry. Please forgive me."
Juliana stared at him. Truly he had hurt her, but she still love him. Maybe another chance with him wouldn't hurt anyone.
"No problem, Matthew. Forget about it, so what next?"
"What next?" He asked, surprised. She nodded, "I guess since I am forgiven, we can continue from where we stopped." He paused..," if you agree."
She finished off her juice and leaned back in her chair, "If I agree? Of course, why not." She smiled.
"Thank you, Juliana. Thank you so much." He went to her side and kissed her cheek. "I love you." He said.
"I never stopped loving you." She replied and tilted her head towards his food, "Finish up your food, I know you have a healthy appetite." He smiled, flashing his well-set white teeth, and went back to his remaining food.
"You need to eat." He told her again.
"I'm okay, thanks." She laughed. The sound of her laughter lifted the burden off him. God, he loved her. The tension was gone and they chatted a
long as if nothing had happened, till he finished his meal. He collected her bag from her and together they went to his car. Julie checked the time and saw that it was way past time she resumed at work.
"Oh God, I'm late." She moaned.
"Late? I have no intention of taking you back to work. Let's go and have some fun."
"You never change." She laughed.
"Do you want me to change?"
She considered it for a while, looking him over, "I don't think so. I like you the way you are."
"Like?" He raised a brow in question.
"Love," she corrected. "I love you the way you are."
"Better." He opened the car door for her, made sure she was okay before going over to the driver's seat.
CHAPTER SIX
MATTHEW AND JULIANA stated seeing each other again. He was head over heels in love with her already. He had not expected her to forgive him that easily but he was glad she did because he could not imagine life without her. He stood a few distance from her office and watched her get busy. It took all of his strongwill for him not to go and embrace her right there and then. That morning before he left home, Nanny Morry had commented for the thousandth time on his change of attitude. He knew he was a more happy man now that Juliana had come back into his life. His phone rang, he checked the screen and saw that it was Steve. He moved into his office to receive the call.
"Hi." He greeted Steve.
"Hey dude, we need to see."
"I'll be there soon." He picked his keys and went to the garage towards his car. His phone beeped when he was about to start the car, the message was from Juliana. She was asking what time was their date.
"Babe, I'll pick you at 7pm today. Love you."
He replied, then started the car and drove into the road. His phone beeped again.
"Love you too." She replied.
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