I WILL MAKE YOU LOVE ME

The Morning After

Morning came and I avoided Cole. I remembered the kiss for night.

I woke early and went to kitchen to cook jollof rice.

Mummy met me there. "Tomiwa, you and Cole quarrel?"

"No Mummy," I said. My face was red.

Cole came downstairs wearing black suit. He looked so handsome!

He looked at me. "My driver will take you to buy clothes. My wife cannot wear same clothes everyday."

"I have clothes!" I said.

"Those Ajegunle clothes? No. You are Mrs. Benson now."

I vexed but I followed his driver to Shoprite at Lekki. He bought me three fine gowns and shoes. I felt like Cinderella!

When I came back, Cole was waiting in living room.

"You look... manageable," he said, but his eyes were smiling.

"Thank you, Mr. Proud," I said.

For night, we sat far from each other to watch TV. No more kiss. But anytime our eyes jam, my heart dey beat fast fast.

This econtract marriage is entering love side!

Those Ajegunle clothes? No. You are Mrs. Benson now."

I vexed when he said that. What is wrong with my Ajegunle clothes? My mother bought them with her fish money! But I know what he means. I am now wife of Lekki billionaire, I cannot wear old Ankara up and down.

"I have clothes!" I told him with vex.

He looked at me with that his proud eyes. "You have clothes, but you are now Mrs. Cole Benson. My wife cannot wear same clothes every day to my mansion. My friends will laugh at me."

I wanted to shout but Mummy touched my hand. "Tomiwa, follow driver. Go and buy new ones. It's okay."

So I followed his driver to Shoprite at Lekki. Ah! That Shoprite is big! When we entered boutique inside Shoprite, the sales girls looked at me like I am from village. But when driver said "Oga Cole Benson's wife", they started smiling.

He bought me three fine gowns and two shoes. One red gown, one white gown, one black gown for party. The shoes were fine with small heel. I felt like Cinderella! Me that used to sell fish in Ajegunle, now wearing gown of 80k!

When I came back to the mansion, Cole was waiting in living room. He was pressing laptop. When he saw me, he closed laptop.

I stood in front of him with the red gown. I was shy.

He looked me from head to toe. He wanted to talk but he was forming.

"You look... manageable," he said, but his eyes were smiling. His eyes were saying you look beautiful, but his mouth is too proud to say it.

"Thank you, Mr. Proud," I said. I rolled my eyes.

He laughed small. That is first time I saw him laugh that morning. His laugh is fine.

"Where are you going with that gown?" he asked.

"Nowhere. I just want to wear it in this house. Shebi this is my house too? Contract house?"

He kept quiet. He knew I was still vexed about the Ajegunle clothes comment.

Later in the evening, Mummy cooked jollof rice and chicken. We all ate together. After food, we sat in living room to watch TV. Big TV like cinema!

We sat far from each other. I sat on one chair, he sat on other chair. No one wanted to sit close because of that kiss last night.

Remember that kiss? For rain night? Thunder made me hug him and we kissed! I have not forgotten it. I don't think he has forgotten it too.

We were watching Africa Magic but we were not watching. I was looking at him small small, he was looking at me small small.

For night, we sat far from each other to watch TV. No more kiss. But anytime our eyes jam, my heart dey beat fast fast. Gbi gbi gbi like drum!

I touched my lips. I still remember how his lips soft.

Mummy went to sleep. Only two of us remained in living room.

"Tomiwa," he called my name softly.

"Yes, Mr. Cole?"

"About last night..."

"Which last night? I don forget," I lied. I did not forget anything.

He looked at me. "You forget? Okay then. Good night."

He stood up and went to his room.

I sat there alone. I wanted him to talk about the kiss! Why did he stop?

This econtract marriage is entering love side! I can feel it. He feels it too but he is too proud to say it. Mr. Proud Billionaire is falling for Ajegunle girl!

I went to my room and hugged pillow. I smiled all night.

Tomorrow, I will make him talk. I must make him confess