FLAMING HEART

THIRTY FIVE: JEALOUS II

"I'm not comfortable here. I want to go back home." Obioma.

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She retired back to the room to freshen up and after she had eaten, a call from Sharon came. Obioma's heart skipped a bit. It was times like this she wished Sharon wasn't this caring. Contemplating if she should pick the call or not, her phone stopped ringing. Heaving a sigh of relief, another call came in - from Sharon again.

"What's up, Sharon?"

"Babe, how far? I can see you're enjoying your stay. You even forgot to call." Sharon's voice sounded high and jovial.

"Forgive me. I got carried away with the fun of going out."

"I understand." She chuckled. "So how's Rivers this morning?"

Obioma rolled her eyes, "Rivers is very peaceful and gracious this morning."

"That's good to hear. How's your sister and her family? What are you doing now?"

"My sister is very fine. I'm helping her in her shop." Obioma pursed her lips.

"Okay." There was a slight pause, "oh Obioma! I can't wait for your return. I miss you so much and not only me, I think Evelyn miss you more. She's been the one cooking and doing all you use to do. Uloma said she can't be sitting idly when there are things to be done. To everyone's surprise, she's a good cook."

Obioma chuckled a bit. "You see, because of my absence, we've found out what Evelyn can do. Anyway, I'll be back on Sunday. Just a day more."

"That's what gives me comfort and hope. I can't wait for your return. Buy Rivers bread for us o." Sharon hung up

To others, this might be a mere statement but to Obioma, it wasn't. 'Buy Rivers bread for us'? Did Sharon mean that? How would she be able to pull that off?

Shrugging that from her mind, she sat on the floor, watching series upon series. It was marvelling how movies were time killers. It was not until she saw the last episode that she noticed the time. Flying from her position, she dashed to the kitchen. There was a recipe book she had seen the previous day while in the kitchen and she had come in contact with a meal that seemed easy to prepare. Had she been more observant, she would have started on time. Taking the bull by the horn, she began her preparation and in the meantime, aroma of grilled chicken and tomato sauce filled the air. Satisfied with the end product, she served a generous quantity to the guards - this they were very grateful for - and then, she stared at the clock knowing fully well Francis would be back very soon. In other to whirl away time, she sat with the guards; discussing and laughing with them. They commended her cooking and both concluded she was a much better cook than Mama Jay. Whether they had said that to please her or not, it felt good to listen to them say it.

Francis drove in some minutes later and she welcomed him: wrapping her arms around him and kissing him deeply. The guards began to titter at this and Francis turned in a mock glare; asking them what they were looking at. They looked away quickly making Obioma chuckle. Francis planted tiny kisses on her lips and she took his suitcase; accompanying him to the house and undressing him. She told him about her special delicacy which he would only have a taste after he had freshen up. He nodded obediently and turned to do as she had ordered; making her giggle in happiness. This had been what she wanted: A luxurious and comfortable life with a loving husband. Francis was sure the epitome of perfection. He was love in human form.

After setting the table, Francis came down in white singlet and a black short.

"This is mouthwatering." He complimented even before having a taste. She watched him as he ate; loving the way he licked his lips. She asked him about work and surprisingly, his face darkened. He looked down immediately; lost in thought for a while and when she touched him, he flinched a bit.

"What is wrong?" She demanded and he shook his head.

"Nothing. I'm just stressed out." He tried smiling at her but she knew they were a facade. She decided to give him time, perhaps he would come through and speak with her. After they were done eating, Francis informed her to get dressed. She wondered where he was taking her since it was already late but as usual, she refused to ask. Francis was a bottle of surprise and she loved surprises.

Finally glad she could wear the skimpy red gown that hugged her curves in peace without anyone interrogating or looking at her suspiciously, she applied a thick red lipstick on her full lips with a black stiletto and a hair tied in bun complementing her looks. Staring at herself in the mirror, she couldn't recognise herself anymore. She was suddenly scared to come out of the room. Just then the door opened and Francis gasped immediately he saw her. His eyes travelled round her body; feeding on her looks. Suddenly gaining courage from the way Francis had reacted, she asked:

"Like what you see?"

There was always a confidence to talk or do something dirty whenever she was with him. Only him could bring the wild beast in her - a side of her she never knew existed.

Nodding his head, Francis replied, "very much."

She smiled then and walked to him.

"You look so beautiful." He whispered; reaching out to kiss her but she placed a finger on his lips; stopping him.

"You'll ruin my lipstick." She whispered back and he frowned.

Groaning, he held her close and they both got into the car. After about forty five minutes of driving, they arrived at a darkened building with dim coloured bulbs creating spirals on the floor.

"Where are we?" She asked.

"A club. It's like a Friday thing. You'll do just fine." He squeezed her hand in assurance.

They got in and immediately Obioma began to cringe. The atmosphere was wild with people drinking and dancing; jumping and screaming in reckless abandon. Loud music blasted and she couldn't help but cover her ear. She was glad when they got to a much quieter place after taking the stairs. It felt like a completely different place compared to where they had been some minutes ago. There were hefty men guiding the door post and they greeted Francis like they had known him for long.

Men sat in round tables and some strippers entertained them; some had women clinging to them. Immediately they walked in, eyes swept around her; undressing her with their intense look. She became self conscious as she walked; tugging at her short dress which seemed to crawl up each time she drew it down. Staring at the men, she noticed they were not normal people. Only their shoes screamed money.

Francis shook hands with some of them as they walked, before they finally settled down at a round table at the edge of the room which had three empty seats. He shook hands and hugged the men and women clinging to them at the table; guiding Obioma to have a seat. Obioma felt all eyes on her and she couldn't blame them for she herself didn't know why she was there. Picking courage to look the men in their faces, she noticed Collins. He was smiling at her coyly and she frowned a bit at this; finally remembering she didn't tell Francis what he had said the previous day.

"We thought you weren't coming anymore." One of the guys remarked and Francis laughed a bit.

"Why would you think so?"

"Collins told us about. . ." The guy stared at Obioma before speaking again. ". . .your new found love."

Francis laughed louder; shaking his head and grabbing Obioma's hand.

"Meet my guys, OB! I'm sorry I didn't inform you earlier that you'd be meeting with them but. . ." He sighed and turned to the men who were now staring at her admiringly. "Meet OB. My girlfriend."

Obioma heard a slight gasp from some of the guys when Francis said this. Though they shook hands with her and welcomed her warmly, Obioma could see the looks on their faces. Hot air consumed her entire body despite the air conditioned atmosphere. She felt sweat filling her forehead as she became very uncomfortable.

"You're very beautiful." One of the guys who had not said anything ever since she came finally did. He smiled warmly at her and Obioma knew it was genuine. She relaxed a little as she smiled at him. He then offered to pour her a drink but she refused since it was alcoholic.

Waitresses in g-strings and heels moved around the patrons; wearing a fixed smile on their faces as voluptuous women danced in glass booths. A dark skinned lady was performing an off-key edition of an American music and bouncers stood at strategic places looking menacing. Obioma wondered why Francis would be in a place filled with scantily dressed ladies. This was a stripper club for crying out loud.

A waitress walked up to them and asked for their orders. Francis ordered some non alcoholic drinks for Obioma and some alcohol for himself. Obioma scowled at the retreating figure of the waitress whose backside was fully exposed. She felt she would go crazy by mere staring at these women. Why would he bring her here?

The waitress returned with their order; placing the bottles on the table and winking at Francis who smiled at her. She chuckled and flipped her hair to the side; shamelessly flirting. She swooned her hips to the side as she walked; making her bum bounce. Obioma cringed as she picked her drink and downed the content into her mouth. Francis seemed oblivious to what she felt as he uncorked the bottle cover haphazardly. She watched him talk with his friends; drinking with reckless abandon.

Though he tried including her in the discussion, she said a word or two. When he uncorked the second bottle cover, she threw him an accusing look; wondering what was wrong with him.

"Jeez!" Francis laughed. "I can survive three bottles."

"You're driving." She replied in a fierce whisper.

"I know." Francis poured some into his glass and Obioma shook her head; suddenly feeling sick. She turned her gaze to the ladies in the booth; their salacious bodies glistening with sweat. There were other ladies doing pole dancing next to people's table. Obioma wondered what she would do if they came to their table; of course she wouldn't be able to take it.

In her anger, she grabbed Francis's half filled bottle of rum, brought the bottle to her mouth and took a big drink. Her throat burned from the hot drink and she instantly regretted drinking it. Francis looked at her then; concern on his face as he asked if she was okay. She ignored him; taking another big drink despite the burn she felt.

"Easy girl! Easy!" Francis took the bottle from her but she snatched it back; glaring at him in return. Some guys noticed this and chuckled in amusement while Francis was shocked at her attitude.

"Are you okay?" He whispered but she turned away from him; concentrating on the wall since there was no good place to stare at. Francis held her hand under the table and she finally looked at him.

"I'm not comfortable being here. I want to go back home."

"We just got here. We can't leave now." Francis protested.

"Of course we can." Obioma stood up; the scintillating light making her dazzle in the dark. Francis stared at her for a while; dazed before slowly getting up. 

"Are you leaving?" Collins who had been quiet asked him and he nodded.

"What?!" One guy raised his brow while the rest laughed.

"That's what a woman can do." Another guy stated. "Francis that we have to plead with before he leaves is now the first to leave."

"I can see the Bible fulfilling here. The first is actually the last." The guy who had smiled at her, smirked and everyone at the table snickered with Francis grinning. Obioma was already fed up and wanted nothing but to walk away but couldn't so as not to look rude so she stood there; faking a smile. After all the boring comments and laughter, they finally left the suffocating building.  

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A/N: I just want us to know these are filler chapters that will end soon. 

By the way, has anyone for once thought that Uju might show up when the lovey dovey couple lest expects it? 

Obioma isn't thinking about this. It seems love turns our brain upside down.