Shade of Lust (Episode 23)

Kelvin’s side of the story continues
‘’well my name is Kelvin Ibeh from Isiala mbano L.G.A’’ I
answered innocently, watching her keenly. She instantly froze
for some seconds before regaining her composure and smiling
faintly. It really was very obvious she was hiding something
and I equally took a big gamble by telling her my real name.

I had to tell her my real name because I knew she was
definitely going to dig up my profile if I succeed in getting her
interested in me and using a fake name could be very harmful
in the long run while telling her my real name like I just did
could make her tighten her guard a bit but still be free with
me, thinking that perhaps our meeting was nothing but
coincidence.

Nevertheless a lady like Jessica could totally be unpredictable
and so I had to be alert always.
‘’your surname sounds very familiar. I had to run a quick
check in my mind the moment you mentioned your name and
local government’’ she explained with a smile.

‘’of course I understand. It’s not easy to be acquainted with
so many people ‘’ I said, winking at her.
‘’Well thanks so much for giving me your time and attention
today, I have to take my leave now, I have some pressing
issues to attend to’’ I suddenly said, taking a quick look at my
watch and standing up with a smile. She looked up at me with
surprise.

Of course when dealing with a lady like Jessica you need to
show authority, you need to look busy and responsible. Even
though I badly wanted to spend more time with her, I had to
keep my feelings aside and act like a very busy man.
‘’ but before I go, please can you consider having a date with
me tomorrow or on Sunday?. We still have a lot to talk about
and I’m so charmed with everything about you’’ I begged
softly. She shook her head.

‘’I hardly do that. It really isn’t my thing’’ she muttered.
‘’I know but please just change your mind set for once’’ I
pushed on.
‘’I will give you a call tomorrow. You will have my reply then’’
she answered with a smile.
‘’okay then but please I won’t take a negative reply’’ I added,
winked at her and left with a smile of accomplishment.
 

Jude’s side of the story continues By 6:15pm that fateful Friday, I got a very surprising phone
call from Pamela.
‘’hi Jude I’m in Owerri. I’m at Links hotel. Can you come
over?’’ she asked with her usual soft tone, leaving me totally
surprised because we planned meeting on Saturday and not
on Friday.

‘’you mean you are in Owerri?’’ I asked to be sure.
‘’yes just come over to Links hotel please’’ she answered
slowly.
‘’okay, I will be there shortly’’ I breathed with disbelief and
headed to my bathroom to freshen up. I really couldn’t believe
she was in town. It was such a surprise and I really didn’t
know how to take it.
 

On my way to the hotel minutes later, my phone rang and it
was Tracy calling me.

‘’what’s up, seems like you are not in your room. You are in a
noisy place’’ she asked as soon as I picked up the call.
‘’yes I’m heading to Kelvin’s house’’ I lied.
‘’okay I just wanted to check up on you. My spirit is just so
restless right now’’ she kind of complained while my
conscience instantly pinched me.

‘’I hope you are still coming over on Monday?. Please don’t
disappoint me. My parents are already expecting to see you
on Monday’’ she reminded me softly.
‘’I won’t disappoint you though I’m still very nervous about it’’ I
confessed.

‘’come on be a man jare, silly boy’’ she joked, laughed and
hung up while I smiled to myself as a new wave of happiness
hit my heart. My eyes instantly soaked with tears.
‘’Tracy why are you doing this to me?’’ I asked inwardly.
 

I arrived at the hotel to meet Pamela sitting all alone at a
table. She wasn’t looking at all bright like the last time I met
her. I approached her with caution, my eyes all over her.
‘’hi dear, what a surprise’’ I greeted, sat down and faced her.
She smiled, raised up her eyes to meet my gaze for some
seconds before looking down like someone in pain. I couldn’t
help but notice how colored up and pale she was.
‘’what’s wrong?. You don’t look alright to me?’’ I asked with
great concern.