Tales of a Lagos babe – Episode 12 [DILEMMA]

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I stared at Femi after I let him in. He was wearing a pair of jeans trousers and a sweatshirt. The smell of his after-shave filled the air. He walked in and sat on the only chair in the hotel room. I pulled my robe closer to myself and took a seat on the bed.

He was disturbingly quiet. I stole a glance at him hoping he would say something, but he didn’t.

Hmm! Abi something happened last night?

“So,” He cleared his throat. I looked at him immediately. “Are you better?” He asked. I smiled and answered, “I guess so.”

He got up and sat on the bed. “Shalewa..”

“Yes, Mr. Williams?” The air around us had changed. It was filled with.. I don’t know, but it was different. The kind you see in movies where a guy and a lady are about to have their first kiss.

I caught him smile. He cleared his throat again. Haba! You get cough? Oga talk na! I was getting impatient.

“Let’s talk about what got you upset yesterday”, he said as he stared at me. I looked away shyly.

“You look pale, Shalewa.” He got up and sat very close to me. My heart skipped. If he tried kissing me.. holy Moses.. green light.. I see green!

“Are you alright?” He asked me.

“Yes, just a little bit tired.”

“No hangover?” He grinned.

“No.” I smiled.

“So does she know – I mean does your stepmom know you found out?”

“No she doesn’t. Nobody knows I know.”

“You wanna tell me everything?” I nodded. Of course I wanted to. It was eating me up and I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I needed to let it all out.

“I think my father left most of his properties to me. He didn’t have time to adjust his will.”

“Wow! That’s a serious one. How come the will has never been read? Its really dangerous for you; anything could have happened.”

“Yea.. I heard my grand mum.. her mum.. I was starting to sound confusing. “My step-mother’s mum I mean..” I smiled at reality. It was really starting to sink in. All these years when daddy would quarrel with her over not buying me the same things she got the twins or not taking me out when she took the twins with her – she had been nice, tremendously nice. At least she made sure daddy sent me off to do my masters. The twins didn’t get that luxury.. but wait! Daddy died before they could! Couldn’t she afford it? A lot was going on in my head.

“Shalewa, are you here at all?” He touched my arm. I shivered. I looked at him and could only make out a whisper. “Yeah.”

I don’t know who went to whom, but somehow I ended up in his arms. He rocked me like a baby and this time, I wasn’t drunk, he had kissed my forehead yesterday. He did the same now.

“I’ll take care of you Shalewa. I know this sounds awkward because it’s coming from your boss, but ever since that ni..”

That was when the stupid phone decided to ring. I almost hissed with disgust. Show spoiler.

“You wanna get that?” He asked.

“Yes.” I reached for the phone. “Hello?”

It was from the reception.

“Hello!” I heard a male voice at the receiver’s end.

“Daniel?”

“Surprise!”

I looked at Femi who was staring at a magazine.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered.

“Well, the company sent me. Looks like we have to do either Yvonne Nelson or Jackie Appiah. I’m here to make sure we recruit the right person. I’ll be up in a bit.”

“Ehm, you can’t come to my room.” I stole a glance at Femi again. This time, our eyes met and he smiled. I managed to smile back.

“Lydia is in my room..” Okay, wait! Why was I lying? Daniel wasn’t even my boyfriend and neither was Femi.. professional ethics I guess. Omo, this mess I’m about to get myself into.. drama, drama, drama..

“Ok. I’ll stop by at Femi’s room then. I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay.”

I hung up and faced Mr. Oga.

“That was Mr. Daniel sir. He said the company sent him.”

He looked at me suspiciously. “I’m aware of that, but…why did he call you?”

Oya think o Shalewa.. think!

“Ehmmm, I guess he tried reaching you on your extension, but you’re here..” I made a face. If he knew me well, he would know I was lying. I only made faces when I lied.

“I guess I better go back to my room then. We don’t want anybody making the wrong assumptions, yeah?” I nodded in agreement.

“And Shalewa, we haven’t finished our discussion.”

“Yes”, I smiled.

He winked at me and left the room. I was left alone to deliberate on how to handle this drama. I was in love with Mr. Oga, yet I felt something for Daniel.

I went into the bathroom and took a shower. I came out and called Omotunde. She put Omoyeni and I on a conference call and I narrated my ordeal to them carefully leaving out the ‘maternal bumdigidi’ out of it. I wasn’t ready for that.

“I can’t believe you got drunk!” Omoyeni screamed.

“I didn’t jor, I was tipsy.”

“Hahaha! You wanted to seduce the poor man”, Omotunde joked.

We all laughed.

“So, what are you going to do about Daniel?” Omotunde asked. “Because me I like him…that Femi that won’t even own up to knowing you; you better give yourself brain and go for Daniel.” She added.

“Omotunde, you can’t choose for her, you know?” Omoyeni said.

“Guys, guys.. thanks for the love. Truth is I’m confused. I think I’m in love with Femi, I also feel something for Daniel, so its really complicated.” I interrupted Omoyeni..

“Hmm! Besides he did ask for your number at the club, we just didn’t give it to him.” Omoyeni concluded her mini protest with this.

“What?! He asked for my number? How come you guys never told me? I thought.. I thought..” I began to stammer. I was seething with rage right now. See these babes.. haba!

“Drama!” Omoyeni shouted. “By the way guys, I’ll be resigning soon to join my dad’s firm.” She said changing the topic. I guess I’ll let it ride this time. What is done is done.

“Finally!” I shouted. Even though e no reach my mind. Not like I wasn’t happy for her, but how dare she hide this from me.. and that Omotunde too! Anyway, Omoyeni’s dad is one of the best litigation lawyers in Nigeria. He has one of the best firms with two partners who were Senior Advocates. It was about time she rolled with the big guns.

We talked some more before ending the call. I started to think about my dilemma. I got dressed and waited for the time to clock one, but instead it crawled. Lydia came into the room and saved me from the wait.. only she had some news. What could it be?

I looked at her giggling. “Spill!” I said, almost screaming.

Omoshalewa Benson: Tales of a Lagos babe is written by Tobilola ‘Bella’ Agoro (@tobiagoro)

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