"I'm sorry."
"I'm tired of your apologies too."
They were both silent till he dropped her off at her place.
"I'll call you when I get home." He told her when they got to her doorstep, then he turned towards his car.
"So I do not even deserve a goodnight kiss from you." She said, went inside and slammed the door behind her.
He sighed, got into his car and drove towards his home. He'd met Linda at a meeting he held with his fellow business friends. She was secretary to one of them and had come with her boss. He asked her out and she had accepted. She really was a very nice lady and had gotten his interest. She has a kind heart but she wasn't Juliana. Much as he tried to love her, his heart refused to accept any other woman but Julie.
At midnight, Nanny Morry knocked on his room door and came in. She looked very sad and he wondered why. She sat beside him on the bed, a tear slipped down her cheek.
"Nanny Morry? Are you okay?" He asked. He'd never seen her this way before.
"I'm so sorry, I hope you can forgive me." More tears fell from her eyes.
"What did you do?"
"I've seen the way you are unhappy since you and Julie separated. I cannot bear to see you this way. You deserve to be happy, and Julie can make you happy."
"But she's gone."
"Her father is innocent," she looked up at him but he didn't say anything, "Go and see him tomorrow and listen to all he has to say, it's the truth."
"How are you sure about that? And since when did you realise that he's not guilty?" He asked.
"I have known for a very long time. I lied to you that day when you asked me about him."
Matthew stared at her like she'd just slapped him.
"You lied to me."
"I'm sorry. Your mum told me the whole truth before she left for Australia where she stays now."
"My mother is alive?" He asked, "You kept all these away from me! How could you do this to me?! And I thought I could trust you." He shouted at her.
"I'm sorry..."
"I don't think I can ever forgive you for this. Please, leave me alone. Get out!"
Nanny Morry left his room, crying.
"Oh my God, what am I going to do now??!!" He groaned.
THE NEXT DAY, HE WAS so furious that he didn't even return Nanny Morry's greeting. When he got to the office, he met Lydia there waiting for him.
"You didn't call me last night as you promised." She accused him.
"Sorry."
"You do not seem interested in me and I don't want to waste my precious time on a relationship that has nothing to offer." She got up and made to leave, then she turned back to him, "And if you want me back, you know where to find me. Just hope it isn't too late then. But now I'm leaving, bye." She left him alone.
He didnt say anything or made any effort to stop her. He just watched her leave and then he let out a sigh.
"Wow, that went easy. Now I'm out of her hook." He called Foluke and told her to make arrangements for him to travel abroad.
AFTER JULIANA DROPPED Toriola off at the Daycare after lunch, she went back to work. As she entered her office, she was shocked to meet Matthew there. He smiled his charming smile and moved to hug her.
"I'm so glad to see you again, Juliana." He said.
"I was not expecting to see you."
"Well, here I am." He laughed and picked a big box on the table, beautifully wrapped. He gave it to her. She inquired what it was.
"A gift." He smiled again. "Uh... Julie, I was thinking if we...em...could go out together tomo...," he paused when a fair complexion man entered the office.
"Please, who are you?" He asked the man.
"The question is who are you and what the hell do you want with my wife?" He barked at Matthew.
"Wife?!"
"Matthew, here's my husband Gregory," Julie said then faced her husband, "Gregory, this is Mr. Matthew Badejo my friend." She introduced.
"Oh, is that so? Good to meet you." Gregory extended a hand to Matthew who was still surprised but managed to shake hands with him.
"We'll leave then." That said, Gregory took Julie out of the office back to their house. She closed early from work that day because she was not feeling very well.
"I don't want you seeing that man." Gregory burst out after he'd brought Toriola home in the evening.
Julie put the baby to bed and then dished out supper for both of them.
"He was my boss and friend. More so, he is Tori's father. How can you forbid me to see him, you can't do that."
"I can, because I am your husband!"
Julie eyed him and walked away. But before she got to the door, he yanked her hair and slapped her. She screamed and fell on the couch.
"Never you walk out on me," he stormed out of the house.
Juliana sat there, sobbing. Gregory was indeed a green snake under green grass. During their courtship, he was a very loving, caring sweet man and Julie had been lured into marriage with him. He'd persuaded her to sell the house that Matthew got for her and move in with him. She was not willing to sell the house, but she did in order to ease Gregory's mind. A month after their wedding, his true nature came out. Since then, Juliana had no happy day. She found out later that he'd lied to her about his job and everything else. He had no family to claim for himself and was one hell of a beast.
MATTHEW DID NOT BOTHER to fly back home since he had promised to bring his fiancée with him. Though he had pressure from the board members that he should get married quickly, he couldn't get Julie out of his mind. He'd decided to forgo his shame and apologise to her again if she'll give him another chance with her. This was the second time he'd hurt her. She still had his picture with her, he saw it on her office table and that had given him hope with her. Only for him to find out that she's married.
"Why am I surrounded with bad luck?" He asked himself.
He continued to stay there in America. He saw Toriola, his daughter, every time Julie brought her to work. He'd asked if he could spend time with his child and she said it's okay. So, Julie didn't take Toriola to the Daycare everyday, except on days when Matthew was busy. All the time when they were separated, he made sure that he sent enough money and other things for her upkeep and his baby's. Matthew spent most of his time with the baby and soon became infatuated with her that when it was time for Juliana to leave, he wished Toriola would stay with him. He'd asked Julie to leave the baby with him several times but the answer she gave him was the same.
"She's still a baby, you cannot take care of her now. She still needs me. When she's a little older then you can take her with you for some time."
Some weeks of his staying there, he noticed Julie was different from who he knew her to be. She now laughed less and she seemed worried most of the time. Matthew became concerned but she would not disclose anything to him.
Juliana battled with the toil inside her. She had not expected to see Matthew so soon or that he'll still be interested in her. She still have feelings for him but she was trapped in her nightmare of a marriage. She wished there was someone she could talk to and open up all her problems. But she had no friends because Gregory won't allow it and he scared all of her friends away with his harshness. And she'd also lost contact with Angela.
Matthew was walking round the garden one lovely afternoon, after dropping his daughter off at the Daycare center. He could move freely in the company because as an influential person, the boss was his friend. To his surprise, he saw Juliana at a corner crying. He ran to her quickly and inquired what was wrong but she refused to tell him. Then he saw her bruised wrist.
"What happened to you? Who did this to you?" He asked, taking her hand and checking the wound.
"No one, it was an accident. I'm okay so will you please let go of my hand?" She said.
"Oh sorry." He apologised and dropped her hand gently.
She stood up to leave
"I'm sorry, I did not mean to upset you." He said.
Juliana nodded and
left him. Matthew watched her go when all he wanted was to run to her, try to get her to tell him what was wrong. But he couldn't. And it was all his fault. If only he'd been more patient and not hasty in making his decision. If only he'd refused to let her go. If only he hadn't let the board members tell him what to do. If only he'd listened to his heart. If only.......... But it was too late now, she was another man's woman. Deep down in him, he knew it was Gregory that hurt her. He asked Julie's boss about him and the news he received was not a good one. If only Julie could trust him again and then he would never make the mistake of losing her ever again.
CHAPTER EIGHT
JULIE GOT HOME THAT day to find the house very quiet. When she stopped by the daycare where she put Toriola, she was told that Gregory had come to pick her. So Julie had thought they would be home. Why did he go and pick her? She could not answer the question because Gregory had never gone to pick Toriola from the daycare alone, without her. Perhaps he was changing his ways. Well that should be it, Juliana thought. Or why else would he do that? She decided to cook a delicious meal for them to eat when they returned. She hurried to the kitchen and started to cook. An hour later, she's through with the food. Her phone beeped and she read the message. It was from Matthew.
"Hi Julie,
I'm sorry if I annoyed you today. How is your husband and especially Toriola? I hope you're all doing okay and are very happy.
Do have a wonderful night rest.
MATTHEW."
Julie didnt know why, but she found herself smiling, her heart warmed up. Was it because of the letter? Or was it because of Gregory turning a new leaf? She couldn't tell and soon she fell asleep.
Julie and Matthew with their daughter Toriola were all in a beautiful meadow near a waterfall. It was a wonderful time for Juliana. As Matthew moved closer to plant a kiss on her lips, a loud noise brought her back to reality. It was a dream.
She opened her eyes and saw that it was already dark, yet Gregory was not back home with Toriola. What was that noise that woke her, anyway? She picked her phone to call Gregory. As she sat to dial his number, she felt a presence behind her and turned around. A figure was standing by the curtain and he was dripping wet. How did he get in? Who was he? Julie had no time to find answers for those questions because the person advanced menancingly towards her. Her heart fell into her stomach, and she ran towards the door, the man chased her and blocked her way. She turned back and ran into a room, putting tables and chairs behind the door so he won't get in. Then she hid under the bed and dialled Matthew, since Gregory did not pick the call. It rang for sometime and stopped.
"Oh God, Matthew please pick up." She dialled his line again but still no answer. The man banged on the door and it shook, just like Julie's heart was shaking. She sent a message to Matthew and prayed he gets it. Then she sent one to Gregory's line too. The door burst open and the man stood at the entrance, looking straight at her.
"Oh God, I'm dead." She whispered.
The man moved toward her, grabbed her arm and placed a cloth over her month to stop her noise.
MATTHEW CLOSED THE window, the breeze was very cold though the rain had stopped. He couldn't help thinking about Juliana. He'd seen to it that her father was let out of jail, and resumed his work in the Badej company. He also increased his salary. His mum was back too. Everything was okay and good news, the only missing piece was Juliana and his precious daughter, Toriola.
"The most dangerous person you should be cautious of is the one who seem to show you the greatest care. He is a man and he's after your downfall, not your success." Julie's father told him before he left Nigeria. But he did not mention the person's name. According to him, his mother did not die in the plane crash because she didn't fly with his father. She was occupied. And his dad had revealed that dangerous person to him but he died because there was no hope of him living again. Mr. Solade was robed because they did not want him to reveal what Mr. Badejo told him. Matthew sighed and went to bed.
He saw that he had a message, he picked up the phone as it started to ring.
"Hello, Armstrong. Anything?"
"It's as we suspected. But do not worry, we've surrounded him and his men. There's no way he can escape."
"What of Juliana and the baby?" He asked.
"Juliana is not here but I can hear the crying of a baby. Don't worry we'll....."
"How can you tell me not to worry?! The baby is my daughter. Where on earth are you?"
"You cannot come, it's too dangerous. I'll make sure the baby is safe."
"I need....." He couldn't continue because Armstrong already hung up.
Oh God!
He'd half-hoped that he was wrong about Gregory, that's why he made Armstrong watch his every move. Armstrong was his friend and he was a policeman. Now it's confirmed that Gregory is a criminal and is into trafficking.
"Oh my God, Julie's not safe. My baby is not safe."
Juliana flashed across the screen of his phone and he saw her message. He picked his car keys and drove quickly to her place. When he got there, he parked his car in a safe distance from the house so he would not attract the attention of her attacker. He sneaked into the house and saw the man with the mask on his face, dragging Julie out of a room, asking her questions she obviously had no answer to. He could not stand the sight of him manhandling Julie so on impulse, he crept out of the corner towards the man. Julie saw him but kept quiet so the masked man would not suspect anything. Matthew lunged at the man from behind and pushed him to the floor then punched him in the face. The men fought hard but Julie was sure that the masked man was receiving the worst beating of his life because Matthew did not hold back at all. She quickly went to pick her phone to dial the police, then she felt a cold metal on her neck and discovered it was a dagger.
"Slowly and gently, go back to the room you're coming from." She heard a familiar voice say.
"Gregory?" She asked.
He laughed, "Good, you recognise my voice. Now move!"
She went back to where Matthew was, the masked man was now sprawled on the floor.
"Hello CEO, we meet again." Gregory laughed.
"Let her go." Matthew said, his voice was cold and dangerous that a chill went down Julie's spine. She'd not seen this side of Matthew before. And if Gregory had any sense he'll do as he's told because Matthew looked ready to kill. But it seems Gregory had no sense at all, he laughed loudly and then threw a paper at Matthew.
"Sign on that sheet, and I will let her live."
Matthew picked the paper and read it, "What?"
"It's better you do as he says, Matthew." The masked man said and stood up weakly. He removed his mask and stared straight at Matthew.
"Steve? What are you doing here?!" He exclaimed, shocked that it was his friend whom he thought was still in Nigeria.
"Sign that paper, Matthew."
"And hand over my father's company to you?"
"It was supposed to be mine anyway because I am also Mr. Badejo's son, his first son, you hear me?"
There was some silence, then Matthew chuckled, "I see you're out of your mind."
"You think so?" He threw a file at him. Matthew picked it and saw some pictures in it. One was his father and Steve and another woman. Then he saw a DNA test result confirming that Steve was his dad's son.
"We're brothers, you see? Dad impregnated his secretary a few years before you were born and I am the result of that pregnancy."
Matthew couldn't believe his eyes, "You kept it all from me and yet you claim to be my friend!" He accused Steve.
"Dad made me promise to keep my mouth shut because of his reputation. He promised to divide his wealth into half, one for you and the other for me. But he did not do it, instead he gave you all of it. And do you think I would sit with my hands folded between my legs and do nothing? No, brother. That's not going to happen. So, sign that paper and hand everything over to me, ir Juliana and your baby dies"
"Steve, this is not how to solve the issue. Stop now, pleas
e and we'll do something about it."
"I'm not going to be fooled by you."
"I'm not fooling you!"
Juliana could not believe what was going on. The two friends, correction, brothers stared at each other. Then there was a gunshot and Gregory went down. Policeman trooped in and handcuffed Steve. A baby starter to cry.
"Oh my baby, Toriola!" Juliana collected her from Armstrong.
"I would not be defeated like this!" Gregory roared, a gun in his hand while the other arm was bleeding from the shot he received. He shot at the policeman holding Steve and then pointed the gun at Julie. But before he could pull the trigger, he was shot from the back and he died instantly. Juliana ran to Matthew and held onto him, sobbing.
"We have arrested them all, you're safe now."
"Thank you, Armstrong. Please, don't hurt him." He said, pointing at Steve.
"Who is he to you?" Armstrong asked.
"He's more than you think."
Matthew with Toriola in his arms, Juliana, and Armstrong all went outside.
"Take care." Armstrong told them, then went with the others towards the police van.
All of a sudden, Steve took the pistol from the police beside him and turned back towards the house. He pointed the gun at Matthew and shot him. Before the police could remove the gun from his hands, he shot himself dead. Juliana fell on her knees, crying. An ambulance arrived and took Matthew to the hospital. He was attended to immediately.
Julie spent most of her time by Matthew's side. It's almost three days since he was admitted in the hospital and he hasn't opened his eyes.
"He's lucky the bullet did not hit his vital part. He has not opened his eyes because of the shock he had. Don't worry, he'll be fine." The doctor told her.
EPILOGUE
JULIANA HELD HER FATHER's arm as he led her down the aisle. Matthew stood in front of the altar, smiling at her as she approached him. Then she put her arm in his and they turned to face the Minister.
Tori Ola Page 5