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The weekend went so fast with Victoria busy taking care of Ayomikun. She always do have the laugh of her life with series of questions she asks. Victoria smiled to herself as she remembered her last enquirer.
"Aunty V" Ayomikun called out.
"Yes honey" Victoria answered giving her full attention.
"When will you come for sleep over at my house" She asked.
"Well, I don't know, I guess I haven't been invited" Victoria answered feeling cheeky.
"Well, I asked my Daddy and he said I should have faith" She said smiling.
"Hmm" Victoria said wondering.
"He said he's working on that" Ayomikun said again.
"Oh, I see!" Victoria said. "Then you need to have faith" She said smiling at her.
"Yes Aunty V, I need to have faith, can you buy it for me, pleaseeeee" She said looking up to her.
"Oh dear!" Victoria laughed. "We can't buy faith" She said
"Oh!" Ayomikun said disappointed. "Why?", She asked.
"Don't be sad, for you to have faith, you have to believe that you will get what you want" Victoria said.
"What!" Ayomikun said confused.
"Alright, you know God loves you. so when you have faith, you have to believe in God to give you what you want" She said.
"So God can give me faith" Ayomikun said excited.
"Yes" Victoria replied.
"Then I will ask Him" She said excited.
The topic went on and on until she took her out to get some ice cream.
.............................
During the week, Olumide had made up his mind to speak with Victoria, he felt that no matter what, she should at least know how he felt about her. He had no idea how to go about it but he has a plan. He had invited Victoria to come over to his place to get some document for the office.
Just as Victoria entered, She saw Olumide standing in the middle of the living room, she noticed his dining table lit with dinner candles and food set on the table.
"What's going?" She asked surprised.
Then Olumide showed her the first card in his hands reading.
"Hello" She read out.
Victoria laughed.
"What is this about?" She asked amazed but Olumide made a signal to wait.
"Ok" Victoria said amused.
"I have something to tell you" She read as he flip the cards
"I have waited so long to tell you" She read loud.
"I am a total coward" She read
"and a fool" she read and look up at her.
"Why" She said looking up to her.
But Olumide flipped the cards
"Because I let you go" She read confused
"I have always loved you Vicky" She read
"But I have been a coward" She read, this time with all seriousness as she watched him flip again.
"I am in love with you Vicky" She read
"What!" Victoria said stunned unable to read further.
"Right back in school" Olumide voiced out.
"I have always loved you, I wanted tell you but when Albert came along, I couldn't" He said soberly.
"What!" Victoria said again stunned.
"I had to wait and watch everything between you and Albert" He said.
He was silence for few seconds watching the expression on her face.
"How dare you?" Victoria shouted at him.
"I'm sorry, I know he's my best friend but I can't wait any longer" He said.
"No, I don't care about Albert. How dare you have allowed me to go on with someone all these years who has caused me nothing but pain and sorrow" She shouted at him
"I wanted to tell you Vicky but I couldn't" He said
"Yes, typical of you, you never tell me anything" She said in a disappointing tone.
"I was scared you would not accept me, I didn't want you to think that I took you for granted knowing everything between you and Albert. I wanted you to know that I have always loved you right before Albert, even with all you have had to go through. I was scared that you might think I just needed someone to take care of Ayomi, a mother to her and not a wife, you are my best friend" He said looking gloomy.
"I am so so sorry Vicky, I do love you, I love everything about you, I want you to be my wife" He said in a soothing voice.
"I have watched quietly all these years and I can't stand it any longer" He said.
"Are you telling me this because you think Albert might woo me back" She said at him but he was silence.
"What if he wasn't coming back for me, how long would you would haven to tell me" She asked searching his face.
"I do...." He tried to say.
Then the door bell interrupted them, he went to open the door.
"Albert!" he shouted surprised.
"Hey man!" Albert said excited.
"How...." Olumide tried to say.
"C'mon man, help me with these bags" Albert said pulling the bags to him.
"Oh I'm so glad to see you" He said as he found his way in.
Then, he spotted Victoria who was frozen in shock.
"My God!" Vicky" He said excited going to hug her. He pulled her to tightly to himself while Vicky who was still shock.
"Oh, I have missed you so much. You are here" He said pulling her closer. "I wasn't sure Olumide would get you here for me", he said as he watched her face with so much excitement.
"Thank you man!" he said to Olumide.
Both Olumide and Vicky were still in shock of seeing him, seems only Albert was doing all the taking at once and took no notice of the tension in the room.
"I tried your phone all through the weekend but nothing, so I thought I might as well email you everything a I wanted and you did it man, I am so lucky to have you as my friend, even for you to have brought her here for me, waiting for me, whoa man, you did good" He said going to hug his friend.
Olumide had left his charger back home when he travelled last weekend so he was unable to receive any calls, although he saw an email message from Albert but he had totally ignored it, he didn't even bother to read its content. Now to think Albert had planned to come today of all days, even to meet Victoria right in his living room infuriated him but he had to control his anger and go along with things. He could sense how angry Victoria was and he dared not look at her face.
"And you made me dinner" Albert's voice brought him back from his thought.
"Thank you honey" He said as he kissed Victoria on her cheek.
Victoria felt anger rising within her and it took all the strength she had to control herself, she felt so disgusted as he touched her. She couldn't believe all that was happening, she tried looking at Olumide but aware that he's trying to avoid her gaze. She saw how surprised he is at this whole scenario; then she realized she had to get out, now.
"I have to go" she said taking her bag
"Oh sweetheart, I just got in" Albert said holding her hands
"I..." She tried to search for the right words as she felt her blood boiling in angry.
"She's been here a long time" Olumide quickly said. "She's probably tired" he added.
"Yes" Victoria nodded. "I have to go now" She said.
"Alright then" He said feeling disappointed. "I will walk you to your car" He said as he followed behind her.
As they got to her car, he quickly open the car door for her.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay" He asking smiling. "You can even spend the night here, I'm sure Olumide wouldn't mind" He said in a smirk face.
"No, I won't spend the night here" she blurted out.
"Alright" Albert quickly say.
"I will see you tomorrow then" He said as he watched her switch her engine on.
Albert was so excited as he ran back inside to Olumide.
"Thank you man, you don't know how much this mean to me, I haven't spoken to her in six months and you were able to get her here for me, she even did cooked, you are the best man" He said slapping him on the back.
"C'mon, let's eat up" He said as he pulled a chair for himself to eat. "C'mon" he said again as Olumide was just standing there.
Olumide felt his plans has been thwarted as he watched in frustration how Albert moved about feeling on top of the world. He listened in frustration as Albert went on about how he planned to get Victoria back into his life and make things right by her, how he had decided to change for the better and have a stable life and family. Olumide felt like slapping him as he heard him speak about change, he knew him too well. As they were talking, he saw him log into his blackberry chatting all the way, grinning as he went on. Olumide had to excuse himself to his room as he felt disgusted at his friend.
"Alright then, see you tomorrow" Albert said still locked on his typing.
"Hey" Albert said looking up, "Can I borrow your car tomorrow, got some couple of places I have to go" He said.
"Sure" Olumide answered as he left for his room.
Both Olumide and Albert have been friends from childhood and are both opposite of each other, while Olumide has always worked hard while Albert had the easy life, he always got what he wanted with his charm and words, he was the outgoing one, had so many friends, which most are of course ladies, it was difficult to say which one he was dating, he lived a fearless life. In all this, Olumide had remained loyal to his friend, even through his selfish and notorious life, he had always been his sidekick. But now he's torn between his loyalty to his friend and the woman he loves. How would he betray his friend. He remembered as a young boy, how they had both gone for the same thing, when he buys the latest video game, Albert would also go for it, when he chose his courses in school, Albert had insisted to study the same course, it was fun at first but he realized he was living his life through his friend's. He was the one with the brain but Albert was the one with the charm. He remembered back in the United Kingdom, after several months of studying, going to work and working hard, Albert had lived the other life of partying and having fun, he had tried to get Olumide to go out clubbing with him but he had refused on many occasion except for the night he gave in to him. That was the night Albert introduced him to Pat. He had reluctantly went along with all the fun; he was so humiliated when he asked for soda to drink while they were all partying with wines and alcohol, he eventually went along with them and drank every drink they had, he tried to show them he wasn't all that boring and that he could have fun any time and any day, he felt so wild that night as he unleashed this other side, he drank like never before and danced all through the night.
Olumide woke up with a nagging headache the next morning, he had no idea how he got home but was grateful he was in one piece, not until he saw Pat on the other side of his bed naked under his duvet. He shivered in fear, he knew what he had done as he realized he was also naked. He ran into the bathroom to pull himself together and felt so ashamed of himself. Never for once has he found himself haven slept with a total stranger he knew nothing about, not her last name or if Pat was even her real name, he felt so deterred.
After that incident, he moved out of the house he shared with Albert to his own rented apartment. He analyzed and came to a conclusion that his relationship with Albert had never been healthy for him, he had forced him to do things he would never have done, he always sees his reserved nature to be somewhat of boring and unproductive to him. Gradually, he pulled away from Albert and his wayward life, he always give series of excuses each time Albert called to ask him to go out or come over for partying. He became absorbed in his studies. Few months later, he found Pat at his front door, at first he thought Albert must have sent her probably to woo him out to the club, not until she blurted out that she was pregnant. He had no idea what to do as she became constant in his life, she began to come visiting more often, asking him to take her food shopping, hospital appointment and cloth shopping, until she eventually moved in. That episode changed his entire plans, he had to think about three people, everything was on his shoulder and he was still studying for his masters. Albert had been so furious with him when he learnt Pat was pregnant and to know that he didn't insist on her aborting it, he had argued with him to deny the pregnancy and send her out packing but Olumide had no gut to do such a thing, he had to think on the other side of what if the baby is actually his and true to that, he couldn't deny the fact when pat delivered his baby. She was the most precious thing in his life, he loved her so much and adored her. He had another perceptive of life when she was born, he made up his mind to pull his affairs together, to be focus and work hard in achieving his goals.
Life became more difficult for him after Pat took off and left the baby in his care. he had to bathe her, feed her, did everything he could do to keep her safe. He remembered a particular night when his daughter, Ayomikun started crying uncontrollable in the middle of the night, he did all he could do to make her stop, fed her, changed her, bathe for her, rock her, everything but she went on crying, he even tried backing her but all to no avail. he felt so frustrated and started to cry himself, there was no one he could call for help or advice. Then he had to go knock on his neighbour's door, an elderly woman whom he had seen his grandchildren visit on some occasion. As she opened the door and saw him drenched in tears as well as his baby, she understood what he needed and helped him. From that day, Grandma Vera became his help, she would always help to baby sit Ayomikun, especially when Olumide had to work over night or go to school. Grandma Vera had been God sent to him, she had stood by him through the tedious months and made things easier for him, she had been the one who helped him rededicate his life back to God, not until then did he realized how far from grace he had fallen, he tried to do things his way own but now, he could look up to the author and finisher of his faith. Few months after, he had returned back to Nigeria.
................................
Victoria had reluctantly gone to work knowing she would have to face Olumide and that thought was unpleasant to her.
She had been alerted by her secretary that he was in but she made no move to go see him, not until she heard a knock at the door and saw him entering her office, she had immediately turned her attention back on her computer, typing some documents. Olumide knew she had deliberately ignored him so he moved forward to stand by her side.
"Vicky, I am so sorry" He started to say. "I had no idea he was coming yesterday, although I saw his email but I ignored it, didn't even try to read it" He said.
"Please Vicky" He said looking at her. "Say something" He said standing there all nervous.
"What do you want me to say?" She asked.
"I don't like it when you are angry" He said back.
"I'm sorry" He added.
"That's the problem Olumide, you are always sorry" She said out in anger.
"You are sorry you never told me how you felt about me all these years, even when you had the chance, you are sorry you allowed your friend used me, lied to me and deceived me all these years, tell me, why are you sorry?" she said in anger.
"Vicky, please, I know I did wrong, I don't know why it took me all these years to say something, trust me, I wanted to but things are very complicated, you know Albert........." he said looking gloomy.
"Yes, Albert, your best friend" She said out.
"Yes Albert" He said aloud getting frustrated by the minute. "He had it all, he had all the charm a woman will want, the look, the attitude" He said frustrated. "Would you have agreed to go out with me if I had asked you back in school, would you have accepted me, what of when I got back from the United Kingdom with a baby, would you have agreed to be my wife if I had asked, will you?" he shouted.
"We will never know Olumide because you never did asked" She shouted back.
"So that is it. Ok, I am asking you now" He said.
"Isn't it rather too late for you" Victoria found herself saying.
"Yes, I guess so" He said dejected as he left her office.
Victoria found her heart pounding, she felt all emotions rushing within her. She knew he was disappointed and then found herself thinking of how frustrated it must have been for him all these years, especially when she goes crying to him about Albert. Every way and every step, Olumide had been with her, he had never for once said anything negative about Albert, he always respected and supported all her decisions. She knew the truth of the matter in her heart even though she had tried to hide it subconsciously. Before Albert ever came into the picture, she had admired Olumide and waited patiently for him to ask her out but he was too shy and friendly. She stood by the ladies rules of never asking a guy out, but was baffled and surprised when Albert, his friend came asking her out and she had said yes purposely to make him jealous. She had always regretted her decision then, she wished she had not accepted Albert's offer, then, probably Olumide would have come to his sense and do the right thing, now they are both paying for their immaturity and childish behavior.
She struggled with the remaining hours of the day at work, she tried to bury herself into work but her mind was all over the place, she felt so distressed and gloomy at the whole situation. She knew Olumide had taken the rest of the day off, obviously not bearing to see her. She felt so depressed, even her best friend whom she always run to is trying to avoiding her. As the day slowly came to an end, she took off to go home and longed for her bed, just lay there and do nothing, the whole situation had affected her so much that she could not even utter any word to God, her heart wanted to pray about all these but her body was to weary to say any prayer.
As she unlock their front door, she heard laugher and chatting in the living room, lo and behold, she found Albert in the sitting with her parents. She felt blood rushing in her, 'not him, not now' she said to herself.
"Hello dear" She heard her mother say winking at her.
"You didn't tell us Albert arrived yesterday" She said smiling at her.
"I.." She wanted to say.
"But I am so glad for both of you" Her mother said grinning.
Victoria stood there in total dismay.
"Hello Honey" Albert stood up to greet her.
"How was your day?" He asked.
"I have to go freshen up" She found her voice.
"Oh! OK then, will wait here for you" Albert said sitting down.
Her legs were shaking as she tried to raced upstairs but found her feet dragging her back. In the comfort of her own room, she slumped on the bed feeling so confused. Not realizing how long she had been in the room, she saw her mother come in.
"Honey, what's taking so long" Her mother said
"What!" She said almost forgetting she had a guest waiting.
"Albert is waiting, C'mon dear, don't keep the guy waiting" She said leaving her to change.
"I have some food cooking on the gas" She added.
Victoria now sitting up in utter confusion, she knew she couldn't keep on being so nice to him, she was afraid of what she might say to him, then she heard a knock.
"Hello dear.." Albert said knocking, then ushered himself inside.
"Are you OK?" He asked.
But Victoria just stared at him.
"Honey, you haven't said a word to me since yesterday, Is everything alright" He asked but she was still quiet.
"Alright, I know" He said. "I know I have offended you honey and I am sorry, I am sorry for everything I did to you in the past, Please forgive me dear" He said searching her face.
"But I am here to stay now, to make everything right." He said smiling.
"I want you to be my wife Vicky, I want us to spend the rest of ourselves together" He said grining. "I love you honey" He said. "I want to marry you" he added.
Then Vicky busted into an unbelievable laughter almost close to tears.
"Oh dear, What is so funny" Albert managed to ask surprised at her outburst.
But she continued to laughed and excused herself to go to the bathroom but when she got back, her laughter was gone.
"Albert, do you think you can come in here with all your smiles, charm and whatever you've got going on there to sweep on off my feet" She said in anger.
"Mister, those days are long gone when you come back asking me to forgive you and move on" She said.
"But..."Albert wanted to say.
"Albert, I told you months ago that I am no longer interested in you and I made myself clear then and still stand on my decision" She said to him.
"But I am home now, I am doing everything you wanted, a stable relationship, I even went for jobs interview today and started looking for an apartment, even your mum knows all these" He said back.
"Is my mum going to marry you" She said out. " I don't care what you do Albert, everything you have always done and will do are all for your own benefit" She answered back.
"But I am sorry Vicky, please" He said pleading.
"It's rather too late for that Albert, I don't love you, I don't want anything to do with you. I went into this relationship with a negative intention, I continued in fear of not getting something better, I endured all your lies, deceit, cheating and countless of all. I know who I am now, I know my worth and I know what I want" She said.
"Look at you Vicky, you are not getting any younger, I am the best you can get now"He said arrogantly.
Victoria chuckled. "You are the worst I ever had" she shouted back. "Tell me, why did you come back, out of all the numerous ladies you had back there, is there no one good enough for you, answer me" She shouted. "You think because you traveled down here will make me crawl back to you, you disgust me Albert and I am through with you" She shouted at him.
"Fine!" He shouted back, "I don't have to take all these" He said walking out and then turn back at her "I can see that's why you haven't been into any relationship since you left me" He said and slammed the door.
"How dare you" Victoria raged after him and decided not as she opened the door.
She went back and sat for a moment on her bed, she was so angry, wanted to scream or even cry but nothing came out, not until her mother barged in.
"What is wrong with you?" She shouted at her.
"Do you have to chase everyone away?" She continued.
"I have had enough of this stubbornness with you" She continued to scream at her.
"Fine!, you can live your life of solitude but not in my house" She shouted at her until Victoria heard her Father's voice.
"Enough Beatrice, leave the girl alone" Her father shouted.
"Fine, I will, go ahead and pamper her as you always do" She hissed and walked out.
Victoria looked up in tears as she saw her father looking at her.
"Daddy..." She wanted to say
"It's Okay" Her father said sitting at her side.
"I can't marry Albert daddy" She sobbed on his shoulder.
"I can't" She said
"I know, I don't like him either" Her father said.
"You don't" Victoria said bringing her face up
"But why didn't you say anything?" Victoria asked.
"It's all your decision dear and whatever you do, I will stand by you" He said smiling.
"Oh Daddy!" She said in tears. "I am more confused than ever" Victoria said.
"Why" He asked looking at her.
"It's Olumide" She said looking shying at her Dad, "He said he has always loved him all these years but never said anything" She said.
"Hmm, it's about time" Her father said.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I have always knew he had something for you but don't know why it took this long to say something" He said.
"Oh Daddy, I am chasing everyone away" Victoria cried
"No, you are not dear, God will bring what is yours to you" He said
"No, you are not dear, God will bring what is yours to you" He said
"So what have you decided to do?" He asked.
"I don't know" She said "Dad, can't you just tell me what to do" She asked looking into his face.
"My princess, there are some decision you need to make yourself and this falls under it, you need to ask God for wisdom and guidance" He said.
"But Olumide is Albert's friend, what would people say" She asked.
"My dear, the day you start thinking of what people will say, that is the day you stop growing. I advice you go to God and see what He's saying" He said as he stood up.
"I will pray for God's divine direction for you my dear and don't worry about your mother, she's my beloved wife" He smiled. "I know how to talk to her" He said leaving her alone.
Victoria was left all alone again, she wanted to lay down and continue to ponder on the whole things but realized worrying and thinking does not solve any problem, she decide to go on her knees and speak to her Maker.
"Father, I acknowledged that I am dependent upon you and your wisdom. I thank you lord that you created me this way so that I can learn to draw near to You each day and receive your abundant supply. I ask You for wisdom Lord and insight for my life. I need you to show me the right path to go and make Your own decision for my life. Help me to know what to do in this situation. Help me not to rely on my own understand and others. Rather, let me judge and decide by what the Holy Spirit shows me. Thank you in advance for giving me all that I need. Amen!" She said still on her knees.
She stayed for a while in total silence as she felt His divine peace come all over her, she still had no idea what to do but she felt His peace within her, she felt assured of His presence and guidance.
...............................................
Albert got back home all angry and frustrated. He stomped into the living room cussing and shouting.
"Who does she think she is" he yelled out.
"What is it" Olumide asked.
"That bitch, she thinks high of herself" he shouted.
"Alright man, I've got a kid sleeping and no cussing in my house" He said back.
"Sorry man" He apolozied.
"Can you believe her, after coming all the way back to Nigeria to beg her, she's still behaving like a nut case, proving all stubborn" He said angrily.
"I have done everything for her, everything" he yelled.
"What have you done" Olumide shouted in anger after having to listen to him
"What have you done for her" he said again.
"What!" Albert said.
"I am sick and tried, so tried of you lamenting of what you have done, you are so pathetic, selfish. You have no intention of making things right by her, you only came back to get her back with you then you travel back" he yelled at him
"What do you mean?" He asked shocked and confused.
"Yes I saw your travel document, just left it lying on the bed in the room, you have a schedule fight for next week. Tell me, what were you planning to tell her after you get her back with you? An emergency you have to attend to back in the state, what? I even doubt that you went for any interviews today" He said.
"What are you doing man, I thought you were suppose to have my back" He shouted back.
"I am tired of having your back, I am tired of being your side kick,I am tired of been used by you, I am tired of you chasing and taking what is mine" He said out frustrated.
"What!" He said standing there in utter confusion.
"Yes, you had to have her, you knew I had something going on with Victoria, you knew my weaknesses, you knew I was summing up the courage to ask her out back in School, you knew all these, yet you had to get her, You had to take what is mine and I have had to watch you hurt and disappoint her over and over again" He shouted.
"It's not my fault you are always slacking when it comes to women" He said out.
"Slacking, yes, backstabbing, no, You are wicked, I don't know why I stood by you all these years, the moment you got back into the country, you have had numerous calls and chatting with all your girlfriends. Tell me, what happened with Jade, the one you married just to get your papers" He blurted out.
"I don't know what you mean?" He said lying.
"Liar, you think you can hide that from me, I know everything you ever did even when I was gone. You told me it was just an agreement between you two to get your papers and you did paid her off, but you lied, you have been sleeping with her, Jade doesn't see it as a contract, she married you for real, tell me, what happens to her two children, your children. what were you planning to do, marry Vicky here in Nigeria and keep her here and then have Jade in the United Kingdom, you are sick man" He shouted staring at her. "When will you grow up and be a man and take care of your responsibility, You need to start taking responsibility for your action and stop hurting everyone" he said in so much pain in his tone.
Then they were both silence staring at each other to what seems like forever, pondering over all he just said.
"So what do you want? " Albert asked in a calm tone.
"I want you to leave Vicky alone" He said. "I have always loved her and...." He tried to say.
"Has she accepted" Albert asked.
"No, she's angry at me" He said quietly.
"I'm sorry man" Albert said. "I never realized how much I had hurt you, I was just having fun" He said bitterly.
"I'm sorry" He said.
"Yea" Olumide said standing up to leave for his room.
He had no idea what came over him, he had never in his life have to shout at anyone like that before but he was glad he did. He left Albert alone in his thought.
....................................................
Days following that argument, Olumide and Albert had gone quietly in and out of the house.Olumide had no idea what to do about Victoria but as days went by, he felt so distressed and lonely, He wanted so much to talk to his friend, even if its to say hello to her but he couldn't. He has not been to the office for days now especially when he had to travel to Port Harcourt for an urgent business meeting. He tried to call her several times but couldn't sum up the courage. He felt so frustrated in his inability to prove himself and felt failing all over again.
.........................................................
Albert had resolved to go back to the United Kingdom and make things right for himself, he thought hard those days following their argument and realized how he has hurt those who have loved him unconditionally through all his mischief and deceits. He couldn't even bring himself to talk to Olumide as he felt ashamed of himself so he left a note for him and also left one for Victoria.
As he sat at the Airport waiting for his flight to be called, he saw someone that looked very much like Victoria, so he walked up to her to be sure.
"Vicky" He called out.
"Oh God! What are you doing here, are you stalking me?" She asked irritated.
"Easy" He said quickly. "I am not stalking you, I have a flight to catch" He said.
"Really" She said confused.
"Yes really" He answered. "Look, I left a message for you with Olumide" He said. "I am sorry Vicky, I am so sorry for all I put you through and everything I said" He said. "I am been selfish and wicked, I don't deserve you Vicky" He said looking at her. "I promise I won't disturb you again, you deserve the best" He said.
Victoria lifted her face as she heard those words, she couldn't believe her ears, she was surprised and shocked at the same time but she knew he was saying the truth.
"Where are you going?" He asked as he noticed her passport.
"Me?" she said.
"Yes, you" he smiled.
"Ghana, I have a job offer there" She said.
"Really" He said surprised.
"Yes" She answered.
"Does Olumide knows about this?" He asked searching her face.
"No" She said quietly.
"Vicky, are you running away" He asked looking at her.
"What do you mean?" She said looking suspiciously at her.
"I know" He said smiling " and I don't think you should run" He added.
Then, Victoria heard her flight announced over the speaker.
"Hmm, you will know something about running away, huh," She said as she pulled her hand luggage.
"By the way Al, you need Jesus" She smiled at him.
"I know" He replied over at her. "I'm trusting to find him" he added.
"God luck" He said to her.
"You too" She shouted back over the crowd.
"Thank you Vic" He added as he watched her leave. Then he heard his flight announcement made so he hurried to join the queue.
.........................................
Olumide got back from his trip and found Albert's letter to him, he felt so much relieved and grateful for his resolution but he knew he had one more thing to do, he hurried to his office and went straight to Victoria's office. He was not about to run away again, he was determined to do the right thing and make her realized how much he loved her. He prayed he was not too late.
"Sir" He heard her secretary called but he ignored and barged into her office but was empty.
"Where's your boss?" He went back to ask her.
"Sir" She said confused.
"Where is Victoria" He asked annoyed.
"She...." She wanted to say then remembered the letter she asked her to give him
"You haven't been to the office for days now, she asked me to give this to you" she said handing him the letter.
"What!" he said confused taking the letter from her. he tore it open and read the content.
"What!" he said again.
"When was this?" he asked but left her standing not waiting for an answer.
He got into his car and drove to her house, luckily for him, he met her Father driving out.
"Sir" He said running to his car.
"Olumide" Mr Matthews said surprised.
"Sir, where's Vicky" he said breathing heavily.
"Oh boy!" Mr Matthews said switching off his engine.
"I need to teach you some lessons about lateness" He said at him.
"What!" Olumide said confused.
"If you want my daughter, You need to hurry and get her, I don't like all these cat and mouse chase" He said.
"She's gone to Ghana, she went two days ago to start a new job" Mr Matthews said.
At those words, Olumide felt so disappointed and sad.
"What are you waiting here for" Mr Matthews spoke out.
"Sir!" He said
"Yes, go for her, go home, get your passport and run like never" He said.
"I will text you her address in few minutes" He added.
Just then, literally, Olumide took to his heels and ran to his car, as he drove, he called his flight agent to get him the earliest ticket to Ghana irrespective of the cost, his heart pounding has he drove.
..........................
Olumide had to wait for almost 15 hours for the next available flight, Mr Matthews was true to his words to text him the address. He had taken a cab from Kotoka International Airport straight to the address he was given. She was still staying at the Holiday Inn not too far from the Airport. He tried to pull himself together as he felt his hands shaking, he had no idea what he would say to her but trust that God would help him out especially to give him the courage, he had specifically prayed about it all through out his flight on the plane.
He paid his far and walked into the lobby going straight for the lift, he had been told what room she was in.
Victoria heard a knock on her door, thinking it was the room service she had ordered for dinner.
"Coming" She said loud as she walked to the door.
"Olumide" She gasped.
"What are you doing here" She asked surprised.
"How did you find me" She asked again.
"Vicky, I am not here to tell you that I am sorry to have kept you waiting all these years and to all that had happened" He said out.
Victoria surprised at his outburst.
"But I have come to tell you that I love you and I will always love you, I love everything about you, I love the way you smile, the way you laugh, I love everything about you honey and I want you to be my wife, my lover, my soul mate, my best friend, my accountant, my business partner, everything you can ever think of" He said smiling. At this time, Victoria was smiling.
"I don't care where you move to or where you want to live, I will proudly follow you as long as I am with you" He said looking into her eyes in the most passionate way. "I love you Victoria" He said.
Just then, Victoria jumped into his embrace as she hugged him tightly in joy, she felt every barrier and walls between them broken, she felt peace at his words and felt his love.
"I love you too Olumide" She said in his embrace "I love you so much and I love your daughter, I love everything about you and I am in love with you" She said as she looked into his eyes.
"I don't care where we live as long as I am with you" She added.
She suddenly went to her phone to dial a number.
"What are you doing?" Olumide asked amused.
Victoria waved her hands to him " Yes, this is room 201, Please can you book a reservation for two to Nigeria" She said.
"As soon as possible" She said as she put down the phone.
"Are you serious" Olumide said surprised.
"Yes, I am" She said holding unto him.
"What about the job offer" He said.
"What job offer" She answered winking at him.
"I want to live where our families are, I want our children to grow around their grandparents, cousins and aunties" She said smiling.
"Yippee" Olumide said out
Hurray" Victoria responded.
"I love you Victoria" He said lifting her up as he swirled her around with laughter and joy.
Both Olumide and Victoria traveled back to Nigeria the following day and got married within two months. They both have been living in their quiet home now for fifteen years, surrounded by their children and growing stronger in love and friendship. Albert still remains friends to both couples and he eventually found the Lord, you won't believe if I tell you that he became a radical Evangelist and waxing strong, you never know who the Lord can use, so stop doubting.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will guide and direct your path. Don't give up on yourself and don't settle for anything because you think the Lord is taking his time and nothing seems right. Don't be pressure into anything you don't have peace with. Go to God, wait in His presence, no matter what you are seeking, be it marriage, job, opportunities, whatever it is, no matter how big or small that decision is, He can direct your path. There's no mountain too tall that our God cannot move, there's no valley too low, He will see you through, there's no problem too big that Jesus cannot solve, ask in faith and he will pull you through.
The End.
To all my Reader
Thank you all for your patience in reading the concluding part. I do hope you enjoyed it. Please leave your comments and views below, It can encourage someone. God Bless.
