13: The Fiancee
1019 Words
Jide Lawson stood in the arrival lobby patiently as he waited for Lara Benson.
He felt a bit nervous, as he thought deeply about how he would react when he saw her.
He wanted to make her feel welcome, but he also didn't know how to fake things.
Even though he had accepted the fact that things with Amara were over, she still occupied his heart.
He still thought about her.
And a tiny part of him hoped things could still work with her.
Lara Benson finally appeared, luggage in one hand and her phone in the other.
She looked like a model on a runway.
Jide stared with his jaw dropped.
She looked up, and their eyes met.
Then she smiled.
It was an infectious smile, and Jide couldn't help but smile back.
Then suddenly she ran to him with her arms widespread.
They hugged, and the fragrance of her perfume enticed Jide's nostrils.
"Jide, it's so nice to see you." She said excitedly.
"I was told you were coming, but I had my doubts," she added.
Jide forced a smile.
"I know I have not been an ideal boyfriend."
Lara looked at him playfully.
"You've not been a boyfriend at all."
Jide raised his hands in surrender.
"Hopefully, now that you're in Lagos," Jide said, "We could work on our relationship."
Lara nodded eagerly. "That sounds great."
Jide collected her luggage and led her to where his car was parked.
He opened the door like a gentleman for her.
Lara blushed.
"Already making up, I see..."
Jide smiled and entered the driver's seat.
"Hope you're hungry?" Jide said as he turned on the engine, "because a lavish family dinner awaits you at home."
Lara smiled widely, "Oh, I can't wait. I missed Nigerian home-made meals."
They smiled at each other.
----
Amara was getting ready to go to work that evening when her brother told her something that broke the remaining parts of her heart.
"Jide was seen today with his fiancée at the airport."
Amara looked at him.
"Fiancée?"
"Yes," Obinna answered, "Their pictures are all over the internet."
He shows her on his phone.
"They look good together."
Amara said, trying to act unbothered, but her brother could see through her.
"It's okay to be upset, sister." He said gently, "He doesn't deserve you."
There was a brief silence.
"Why did Mrs. Lawson offer me money to leave her son if he had already moved on to the woman, they chose for him?" Amara said, more to herself.
But Obinna heard her.
"Did you just say you were offered money?"
Amara nodded.
"Twenty-five million naira."
Obinna's mouth opened in shock.
"Where is it?"
"I didn't collect it," she answered.
"You rejected twenty-five million naira?" Obinna said in a raised tone. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I can't be bought."
"No, that was a settlement for all the embarrassment you went through." Obinna argued, "I can't believe you didn't accept it."
Amara kept quiet.
"Do you know what that money would do for us?" Obinna asked.
"It will solve almost all our problems," He continued, "Mother's health, my school, a new apartment, and even set up a business for you."
"I'm working towards all that..." Amara said firmly.
"Sorry, but that was very selfish of you," Obinna said with tears in his eyes.
"Did you just call me selfish?" Amara asked with annoyance.
Obinna kept mute, but he was clearly fuming.
"Do you know what I sacrifice every day to keep this family running?"
"I'm not downplaying your efforts," Obinna replied, "But finally a solution came, and you turned it down. Why?"
"Because I have self-respect!"
"What about mother and I?" Obinna asked angrily, "Did you think about us in that situation?"
"Don't you dare talk to me like that." She shouted at him.
"Just say the truth sister," Obinna continued regardless, "You didn't do this because of any self-respect."
Amara looked at him with surprise.
"You did this because, for some reason, you still care about Jide, and you don't want him to think little of you."
Amara eyes grew wide at him.
"And you did this at the expense of your family's freedom from poverty," Obinna added. "You chose a man who would never choose you over your family."
Amara struck him hard on the cheek.
"I will not stand here and watch you talk to me in that manner."
Obinna held his cheek and stared at his sister with anger in his eyes, as tears trickled down from it.
Amara held his gaze, "If you're not content with what I can bring, they go out there and try your luck."
She walked out immediately, anger radiating from her body.
----
As soon as Amara got to the hotel, her manager sent for her.
She walked into the office, half expecting to see Mrs Lawson again, but this time only her manager was seated in the office.
"Amara, you came quite early today." Her manager said once she saw her.
"Sadly, your punctuality today wouldn't be of any use."
Amara looked at her with confusion.
"Your service is no longer needed here," her manager said bluntly.
Amara froze.
What?
Her knees weakened.
She suddenly couldn't hear anything else her manager was saying.
"Ma, what did I do?" Amara finally said.
"You bit more than you could chew."
Amara looked at her, urging her to explain further.
"My hands are tied, you messed with the wrong people," her manager added.
"The Lawsons made one phone call, Amara. What exactly did you expect me to do?"
"Manager, please..." Amara went down on her knees, "You know how much I need this job."
"You should have thought about that before getting involved with people way bigger than you."
"My mother is very sick, I need this job, please!" Amara begged, tears flowing down her eyes.
"People like us don't survive when we get caught between powerful families."
Her manager got up from her chair and walked to the door.
"Leave my office and the premises at once," she added, and held the door wide open.
- Writer
