On getting there, I decided to let all my worries out of my head and relax, enjoy the moment as Delilah suggested. We had a lot of fun things to do. Shopping always helped me relieve stress so I did a lot of that although I didn't need most of the clothes I bought.
The two weeks vacation flew by. Richard always called to check on me. I didn't bring up what had been bothering me. I pretended everything was fine until I believed everything was fine. Maybe I'm just overreacting and it's just a little misunderstanding I said to myself. I shortened the trip, eager to get back to Richard because I was missing him so much. We went back to Nigeria a day before we were supposed to. I didn't tell Richard because I wanted to surprise him. I felt so excited and I was ready to let go of whatever it is that Mr okon was talking about until Richard was ready to talk about it.
I called Richard just before going to the airport. He told me he was still buried in work and he misses me. I smiled to myself thinking about how his face would light up when he comes home from work and sees me.
I called the driver to pick us when we were at the airport. I called Richard again and he said he was still at work. Perfect! I thought. I'd cook a nice meal for us and wear my sexiest dress. It was gonna be a great night. The driver dropped Delilah at her apartment and we proceeded to my home. On arrival, I noticed that all the cars were in the garage. Which car did Richard use to get to the office then? I thought.
The driver parked right in front of the front door. I came out of the car. Something was strange somehow. I felt it. I pushed open the door but it didn't open. I knocked but there was no answer. I brought out my key to unlock the door but I discovered it was locked from the inside. Just then someone opened the door.
I couldn't believe who I was seeing. I was shocked beyond words. My mouth was hanging open. The person standing in from of me was a perfect copy of Richard. I would have mistaken him for Richard but he was much younger. A teenage version. The humorous eyes, the sharp jaw, the perfect chocolate complexion. I was so confused. So many questions in my head. I was speechless. "Yes, can I help you?" he said. Even his voice sounded like Richard's. He was looking at me with disgust. I smiled. " I should be asking you that. You're in my house." I made for the door but he stood at the entrance. "Excuse me you're blocking my path" I said. He folded his arms and looked me up and down. Like he was assessing me. Then he turned and said "mom! There's a situation here".
"What is it junior? Who is at the door?" it was a female voice. I stood there waiting like a fool. It all seemed like a dream to me. "I don't know. Come and see for yourself". He replied and headed inside. I walked in and shut the door. The boy was eating at the dining table and I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. It was all so strange. "Where is Richard?" I asked the boy. Before he could reply me, a lady came down the stairs. "Who is asking?" she remarked rudely. She was tall, dark, slim but busty. She had a nice figure and a pretty face. Her voice was sharp and her jaw was set rudely. She looked obviously older than me. She should be atleast 30 while I was just 24. I wondered who she is and what gave her the guts to be standing in my staircase. "Excuse me who are you and what are you doing in my house?" she laughed a wicked high-pitched laugh. "Oh it's you. Sisi oyibo. So you're back? Well you better find your way because you're not welcome here." my heart was beating fast. "What do you mean I'm not welcome here? You're the one I should be throwing out! What gives you the audacity to insult me in my own house! Who the hell are you and where is my husband?!" she looked at me with disgust. I picked up my phone and dialled Richard's number. It started ringing. Just then I saw him coming down the stairs. "What's the noise all about?" he asked rubbing his eyes.
"Richard what's the meaning of this?"
He looked surprised to see me. "Oh Ally I thought you wouldn't be back till tomorrow" the lady stepped aside to let him pass. He was now standing right in front of me. "Listen why don't you go freshen up and we'll talk later?"
"No. I demand to know what's going on right now. And didn't you tell me you were still at the office?" he moved forward and tried to hug me. I pushed him away. Tears were welling in my eyes. The lady hissed and joined the boy at the dining table. "Ally please. Just listen to me". He moved closer.
I shook my head, picked up my car keys and headed towards the door. "Ally where are you going? Come back here". I entered my car and drove off. I could hear the lady laughing inside the house. Richard was standing at the door calling my name but I couldn't go back. I had to leave. With no destination in mind, I continued driving and thought about recent events. Tears were rolling down my face. I just didn't understand what was going on. Why was my life so complicated? I wondered. I remembered how excited I was before I came back. I never knew I'd meet something so shocking. Richard kept calling my phone. Few minutes later Delilah called also. Richard must have told her, I thought. Just yesterday I was thinking of how to make our marriage life better, and this is what I got instead, a broken heart. I thought of going back because I felt guilty of not hearing Richard out but I knew I can't stand the sight of that woman. I passed a club and thought maybe I should drink my sorrows away. I parked and grabbed my purse. I wiped my face and dabbed powder. I looked at the mirror. I'm still young, rich and pretty, I don't deserve to be treated this way. Richard can go to hell for all I care, even though I love him so much. I've been independent before, I can take care of myself and get my shit together, I thought to myself. I locked the car and headed towards the club.
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The club was obviously low class. It was dimly lit, full of people. The music was loud and the smell of alcohol was pungent in the air. I went to the bar and ordered whisky. My mind was still on what happened at home. I looked behind me at the dance floor. People were Moving to the music without a care. I wished I was like them. I was lost in thought for a moment when someone tapped me. I turned. A woman in a shiny black short dress sat in the stool beside me. She had long black hair. She looked beautiful in a mysterious way. She was definitely nigerian "Hello, I'm annabelle. Friends call me anna" she stretched her hand to shake me. I was in no mood to start a conversation but I thought it would be rude not to reply her. I shook her hand. "Nice to meet you annabelle. I'm alison" I replied a bit unenthusiastic. She smiled. She had a perfect set of teeth. "Please, call me anna. Can I buy you a drink? You look like you need a couple of shots. Bartender, two martinis" I smiled and sighed. "It's that obvious huh?"
"Uhuh... you look like something the cat dragged out of the dump, no offence. Though I must say, you're beautiful. Tourist?" I winced. I didn't know I look that bad. I took a gulp of my drink. I took my time before I replied her. "Thanks for the compliment. I'm not a tourist" she was quiet for a while just looking at the glass in front of her. She was obviously expecting me to say more but I wasn't comfortable. The silence went on for a while then she looked at me, like something was on her mind. I was becoming more uncomfortable. I felt like she was reading me. "I'm a psychiatrist by the way. I've been watching you since you came in. You seem disturbed. Now, I'm not asking you to share your troubles. It's not even my working hours but here's my card. My office address and my phone number is there. You can come by some time, Alison. You've got yourself a shrink friend" she smiled and reached out to pat my hand. I smiled back. We had a little chat for a while then she left. She kept my mind away from my worries for a while. I didn't want her to leave. She was a nice company.
Few drinks later, my head was a bit foggy. A young man asked me for a dance. I thought "sure, why not... Richard can go to hell" I let myself lose. I stopped thinking and got lost in the music. The man was obviously a good dancer and he was fun to be with. We had a few more drinks and I was wasted. My mind was lost. I just wanted to have fun. I couldn't even remember where I was or who I was with.
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I felt a searing pain in my head. I tried to open my eyes. The light was blinding. "Richard..." I said and stretched my hand to touch him, my eyes still closed. His skin felt so cold . I opened my eyes. The man beside me wasn't Richard. I screamed and jumped out of the bed. The man on the bed woke up startled, rubbing his eyes. "Keep it down woman. What the hell is wrong with you? I'm trying to get some sleep here." he really looked like he needed it. His eyes were red. I looked at my body. I was wearing a man's shirt but thankfully I still had my underwear on. The man was wearing only shorts. I feared that I'd been kidnapped. I started sobbing. "Please who are you and where am i?". I looked around. It was a clean room. Sparsely furnished. Just a bed and a closet and a mirror by the wall. "Calm down I'm Tony, the guy you met at the club last night." it started coming back to me. "Oh no Oh God nooo... what happened last night?" I started sobbing harder. "What happened? Did we...."
"Nothing happened." he replied before I could finish. "You were so drunk you kept throwing up. You slept off before we even got here and you kept calling some guy named Richard in your sleep. I wanted to sleep on the couch but I wasn't comfortable I had to share the bed with you. And your dress, well it was covered in alcohol and vomit so I had to lend you my shirt. It looks good on you by the way. Don't freak out. You can leave as soon as you want and I can peacefully go back to sleep. Don't even think about breakfast. There's milk in the fridge though." I sighed and rubbed off my tears. "Thanks. I have to use the bathroom." he nodded. "Second door by your left. Don't tamper with my stuff" I left the room and went to the bathroom. It was small. I found my dress hanging on a peg. It was clean and dry. I took a hot shower and wore my dress. I looked terrible. There were dark circles under my eyes and my head hurt like hell. I thought for a while. I can't go back home to Richard and I have no parents to run to. Delilah's place was the only option.
I left the bathroom and went back to the room. Tony was snoring loudly. I didn't want to disturb him. I found the kitchen and drank a glass of water. My purse, my phone and my car key was on the kitchen slab. I opened the purse. Everything seemed to be in place. I removed a wad of notes and placed it on the slab with a thank you note. I checked the time on my phone . It was 1pm. My battery was low. 20 messages and 36 missed calls. I sighed and headed towards the door. Time to deal with my troubles. I left the apartment and went to my car. I used GPS to find my way out of the unfamiliar surrounding and headed to Delilah's house.
On getting there, I saw Richard's car parked. I wanted to turn and head somewhere else but something was holding me back. I decided to go in and find out what was going on.
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"Yeah. He said he won't leave until he talks to you" I sighed and closed my eyes. I heard her leave the room and I drifted off to sleep.
When I woke up it was already dark. I checked the time. It was 8pm. I felt weak but the pain in my head had stopped. I went to the bathroom and washed my face. I came out and found Delilah in the room. "Hey dinner is ready. Come out and eat."
"I want to eat it here"
" you can't avoid Richard forever you know. Just come and eat. If you're not ready to talk we'll wait till when you are ready" I sighed
"Okay. I'll be right out. Just give me a minute" she nodded and left the room. I thought a little and went after her. Richard was in the living room watching TV. He looked at me and I quickly looked away. I sat and ate with Delilah at the dining table. Richard didn't join us. He kept yawning. He looked like he didn't sleep last night. By the time we finished he was dozing. I sighed and went to where he was sitting. I tapped him. "Richard you need to go home and sleep. As you can see I'm fine." he shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere without you or atleast till we sort things out. Please hear me out"
I sighed. "If you won't leave then you should go and sleep in Delilah's guest room run. We'll talk when we're both refreshed". He got up reluctantly and headed towards the guest room. He turned to look at me just before he entered and shook his head, then he shut the door behind him. I took a deep breath and sat down to watch TV. Delilah joined me after a while. We were quiet for a while then she said "Alison. Richard explained everything to me. It's just a big messy misunderstanding. Just allow him to explain. By the way, where were you last night?" I kept quiet, not knowing what to say. She can't possibly know how much it hurts me. Having another woman in my house and a boy that looks just like Richard. A son I'll never have. "It's a long story..." I told her what had happened the previous night. We talked a little longer and she said she was sleepy. "Call me if you need anything" she said. I nodded and she left for her room. I took my phone and went through my social media. I received a text message from an unknown number. "Hi, it's Tony. Surprised I have your number huh? Hope you went home safe. You've been on my mind. Sorry I didn't even offer you breakfast. I was such a jerk. We didn't even get to say a proper goodbye. Can I take you out for lunch to make it up to you? I do hope we can be friends. Reply okay if lunch is okay with you. If not, it was nice meeting you and I hope to see you again sometime soon. Tony will be waiting for your reply ;)" I smiled. This guy can't be serious. I deleted the message and continued going through instagram. Few minutes later I received another text.
"I guess that's a no for lunch. How about dinner? :D -Tony" I couldn't help myself. I had to reply.
"You didn't offer me breakfast, what makes you think I'll want to have lunch or dinner with you? Besides didn't you notice the big fat shiny wedding ring on my finger? Goodnight Tony, enjoy your life, forget about yesterday" I hit send. I dropped the phone and continued watching TV. I must have dozed off. My phone started ringing. I picked without looking at the screen. "Hello sleeping beauty." I recognised the voice. it was Tony. I wondered what he wanted with me. "Didn't you receive my Last text?" I replied.
"I did but I had to hear your voice to make sure last night wasn't a dream. I still can't believe I met an angel like you"
"Please don't call or text again. I told you I'm married"
"Relax I know. There's no harm in being friends. And by the way, the money you left this morning aren't Nigerian currency. Atleast if you really want to return the favour you should make it naira to save me the stress of going to the bank" I sighed. "Text me your account number then"
"No, I want it cash in hand just like you wanted to give me in the first place. Either that or a nice friendly lunch"
"Fine. I'll check my schedule"
"Thanks. Goodnight lovely" I hung up and headed to the room I was supposed to sleep in. Tomorrow I would have to face Richard, I thought to myself.
To be continued 10th Jan 2018......
Also Read
Fading Star -Episode 1
Fading Star - Episode 2
Fading Star - Episode 3
By: Marsy
Aadammaryam95@gmail.com
This is becoming so complicated. What do you think will happen next? Let's hear your comments as you anticipate subsequent episodes.
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