Strictly Business

Chapter 1

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, public institutions and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2018 by Chia Ndika

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed on Okadabooks

First Printing, 2018

Cover Design Copyright © 2018 by Chia Ndika

Lyrics of Forever by M.I. Abaga used with permission of the Artiste’s management.

Excerpt

“Ask me,” he said.

She blinked in the dark interior of the car. He wanted her to invite him up. He was asking her permission to continue. He wanted to know that she wanted this too. For a moment he looked like he was afraid of her answer. His brow creased in worry as he waited for her response.

“Kes,” he said her name like a prayer. “I have waited so long to have you back in my life, I can’t even pretend anymore.”

“I’m sorry Eddie. I can’t. There’s just too much going on with me right now.”

“All that time and yet nothing has changed for me. You can’t deny that you want me as much as I want you.”

“And then what? Let’s say we give in to these feelings, what then? Things are not the way they used to be. We are not two teenagers basking in young love, nothing is that simple anymore. I work for you. My life is a mess now and I’m trying to put-”

“-your business back together,” he completed for her in near exasperation. “I heard you, I heard you a hundred and fifty times already. Your company is very important to you. And I envy it seriously.”

She smiled and cupped his face.

“You also envy anyone holding my hand.” He smiled sheepishly. “You are important to me too. But I can’t address this now. It would be too… I need to go. Goodnight Eddie,” she broke away from him and opened the door.

He got out and met her at the entrance to her block. He caught her up in his arms again. He put his forehead against hers and gazed into her eyes. Keside’s heart beat erratically as she prayed he wouldn’t kiss her again because she didn’t think she wanted to stop him.

“I’m going to wear you down Keside Okoye.”

She closed her eyes and sighed. I hope so. She turned around and disappeared into the building.