Ayoola Faleke

The bar was unusually crowded tonight. His barman, Chike, was overwhelmed and he had to join him to serve their clients. His attention was divided between watching the premier league football match playing on the big screen and servicing their clients. Some of his clients who were sitting at the bar, threw in a barter or two about the match and he responded with humour as his fingers mixed their preferred cocktail. Or served them their favorite bottles of beer.

He knew the exact moment she walked into the Bar with her friend. Damn! She was so beautiful and she didn’t even know it. His gaze tracked their movement as they perused the crowded room, obviously wondering where to sit as every seat was occupied. He was about to remove his Apron and go meet them when her friend grabbed her hand and pulled her to the bar. Oh! He wished he could bless her soul. Fortunately, there were two empty stools available and they perched on it.

“The stools are sturdy.  They won’t be breaking any time soon.” His assurance was for her as he noted the wary expression on her face as she tried to balance her bum on the stool but he directed his smile to both. His palms were suddenly sweaty and his heart was beating fast. 

“Thank you, Handsome. This my babe is ready to use the crowded bar as an excuse to go home early and sleep. What a boring lifestyle!” Titilola smirked at him.

“Apologies for that. The bar is unusually crowded tonight because of the ongoing premier league match. If you don’t mind, I can check if our VIP lounge is available and book for you.”

“Really? That will be great. Eve, what do you say?” Titilola grinned at her friend.

“No, I am fine. I work in Seclusion all day long. If we want to really socialise, we might as well do it among the Crowd.” Her smile was shy as she glanced briefly at him before looking away. Her brown eyes nearly undid him and he felt his body responding to the smile. Thank Goodness he was behind the bar. 

“That is my girl.” Titilola enthused as she ran a hand over her arm casually. “What is on our drink menu for tonight, Handsome? I am Titilola and my friend is Evelyn.”

Evelyn! It reminded him of Eve and the forbidden Apple. He would gladly eat it if she offered it to him. He sighed. “I am Ayodele. What do you care for, Beautiful ladies?” 

“Gin and Tonic please. Thank you.” Titilola turned to her friend. “What do you want, Eve?” 

“Please give me Shirley Temple Mocktail. I don’t have a head for alcohol.” She ignored her friend’s gasp as she focused on him.

“Don’t fall my hand, Eve. Live life before you are tied to the shackles of marriage nah. We may not be able to hang out like this once you get married.” Titilola’s voice dropped as she protested but he heard her clearly and the wine glass he held slipped and fell. 

Evelyn was getting married? How did he let her slip through his fingers? His eyes clouded over for a while and he stared down at the broken shards of glasses.

“Are you alright?” Evelyn had gotten to her feet as she peered at him with concern written over face.

“I am alright. Thank you.” His smile was wooden and he forced more cheer into it. Some things in life were just not meant to be but his heart wasn’t listening. It was aching so much he thought he could see it bleed. He rubbed his hand briefly over his chest while he beckoned to one of his boys to come and clean up the mess. “Your drinks will be coming up in minutes. Here are some nuts to munch on.” He pushed two bowls of nuts to them.

“Thank you.” The ladies beamed at him and continued talking while he made their drinks mechanically. His thoughts were in riots and his mood got darker every second. Why was he always so unlucky in life? He had no known father and had been single-handedly raised by his mother. Growing up was a real struggle and abject poverty had been part of their existence for too long. Now that he was comfortable enough to start thinking of settling down, the first woman who had caught his fancy had been snatched from beneath his nose. 

“Here we go, ladies.” Their drinks were ready and he placed it before them on mini trays.

“This is so good.” Titilola took a sip and exhaled with pleasure written over her face. They all laughed.

“She is right. You are really good.”  Evelyn smiled at him and his heart tumbled in his chest. This would be pure hell. 

“Thank you, ladies. I am flattered.” He grinned at both.

“That reminds me. Please I need a driver. Kindly let me know if you come across any responsible and trustworthy one. I am a generous boss.” She brought out her Card and slid it across the wooden space between them.

“I will be on the lookout.” God! What was he about to do? “ I am also a Cab driver. You can always give me a Call whenever you need one urgently.” Ayoola, you were just pathetic.

“Oh, that is great. Please let me have your number.” They exchanged numbers and he moved away to serve other clients before he started drooling over her.

******

Kelvin Ikeduba

Kelvin returned with the signed contract a week later, and his life turned around for good. The company’s Human Resource department invited him for an interview and his offer letter came through a month later. The employment package came with an official Car and his own personal office. It was a dream come through.

He wooed and dined Evelyn like a Queen, even though half of the time, he just wanted to be free from her clutches.  He proposed six months after they met and the wedding took place two months after the engagement. His family were treated like royalty and they fell in love with Evelyn’s quiet charm. He was the envy of his friends. 

His wife didn’t have a to-die-for body, but she brought him great fortune. He had the kind of job he had only dreamt of, drove his choice car, and his house was almost completed on Banana Island. He also had enough cash to feed his addictions; beautiful sleek women, weed, and booze. What else could a man wish for?

He rolled out of bed and stretched his lithe body. His night in Belema’s bed had left him satisfied and drained in a great way. Belema was Evelyn’s housemaid. A smile spread over his face as he walked into the bathroom and turned on the hot water in the shower.

Ten minutes later, he joined his wife at the breakfast table and tried not to stare at the backside of the woman serving his food. She seemed to add an extra sway to it this morning, and his dick twitched in response.

“Belema, that is okay. Please tell Ayoola he will take us to my parents’ place in the next two hours.” Evelyn told her housemaid as she served fried eggs into a separate bowl and placed it beside her husband’s plate of yam.

“I will deliver your message. Merry Christmas to you, ma’am.” Belema smiled as she moved away.

“Thank you, dear. Please pick up your gift under the Christmas tree and inform the other staff to do the same.” She smiled at the young girl.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Belema beamed with appreciation before she hurried away.

“I hope we won’t stay long at your parents’ place. I want to take my wife out on a dinner date.” He grinned at her and watched the pleasure light her eyes. Women were so easy to please. He nearly rolled his eyes in mockery.

“Oh? Thank you, darling. I would love that. We will leave as soon as you want.” She beamed at him. 

“We are long overdue, baby. Hurry up so we can leave on time.” He returned to his food.

There is trouble in paradise.

FINDING SOLACE is available on the blog shop for your reading pleasure.

The Blurb

Araire Falade, a beautiful, wealthy, and single woman in her 40s, is trying to slow down her ticking biological clock, and her boyfriend, Bamidele, has said he will only propose if she gets pregnant. 

Seeking help, she approaches the sexy, handsome but married fertility doctor, Chibuike Azuke, and they soon become great friends. 

Glowing and pregnant, her happiness doubles or so it seems when  Bamidele finally proposes.

All hell breaks loose when Araire discovers she has been duped, not only by the man she was engaged to, but also by the man she had come to trust and love with her whole heart.

Will love find her again or she is destined to remain single and alone forever?

The chapter five of Hidden Desires will be posted next week Sunday, 16th February, 2025.

Don’t miss it and don’t forget to leave a comment.

Thank you!