I Found Love

I found love Episode 4

I Found Love

Episode 4

By Charles N Okere

Continued from the previous episode

Just as Jane paused to answer someone’s call at the door, I seized the moment to push Amarachi to the other side of the bed and leapt up.

But she was quick—like a leopard, she sprang after me, chasing me like a cheetah and pinning me against the wall with a fierce, almost predatory intensity.

“Stop this madness, Amarachi! What’s your problem?” I demanded, shoving her aside.

“You’re my problem,” she purred, her voice dripping with defiance. “I missed you so much, baby—”

“Will you shut up?” I snapped. “Put on your top and get out of here, or I’ll drag you out myself!”

“No, I’m not leaving. Do your worst,” she challenged, her eyes glinting with mischief. Before she could say more, her phone vibrated in her pocket, cutting her off. She pulled it out, and her expression shifted as she glanced at the screen. Stealing a quick look at me, she sighed heavily.

Reluctantly, she walked to the bed, picked up her top, and slipped it on. With a dramatic sway of her hips, she sauntered to the door. “Catch you later, sweetheart,” she said with a smirk before leaving.

I paced the room, muttering to myself. “Damn it, Chibuike, you i***t! Why didn’t you expose that Jezebel, that Delilah, that adulterous woman? You should’ve followed through and pushed her out, half-dressed and all.

Why in God’s name did you let her touch you—kiss you, even? But seriously, what is she doing here? I never expected to see her in a place like this. So, she married a soldier instead of the vice president’s son? What happened there? Whatever it was, I don’t care to know.”

My thoughts spiraled. “I’m not comfortable here anymore. I should tell Jane about my past, especially since she was open about hers. But is that wise?” I was so lost in my head that I didn’t notice Jane enter the room until she touched my shoulder, snapping me back to reality.

“Chibu, what’s on your mind?” she asked, concern in her eyes.

“Nothing, I’m fine,” I replied, trying to sound convincing.

“How can you say that? You were talking to yourself and didn’t even notice me come in. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Honestly, I’m okay. Just... lost in thought.”

She studied me for a moment before softening. “Alright, if you say so. I wanted to apologize for being harsh earlier—about the, you know, kissing thing. I’m sorry.”

I waved it off.

“Come on, that’s nothing. I’d already forgotten about it.”

She smiled. “Thank you. By the way, my parents are in the living room, and they’re asking for you. Let’s go say hi. Breakfast is almost ready.” Her smile widened, warm and inviting.

“Alright, give me eight to ten minutes to freshen up. I’ll meet you there.”

“Are you kicking me out of my own room?” she teased, her eyes twinkling.

“Oh, come on! I’m just being polite,” I said, chuckling. “I need to use the bathroom.”

She laughed heartily. “I’m just messing with you. Give me a call when you’re done. I’ll be in the living room.”

I nodded, smiling as she left.

When I stepped into the living room, I froze. Jane’s entire family was there, seated like a welcoming committee. Jane stood, walked over, and took my hand.

“I thought you were going to call me when you were done,” she whispered, her tone playful.

“And you didn’t warn me your whole village was here to hand me the bride price list,” I whispered back, grinning. She laughed, the sound bright and infectious.

“By the way, your number wasn’t connecting when I tried calling. After three attempts, I gave up and came out.”

“You’re hilarious,” she said, still smiling. “These are my brothers, their wives, and their kids—not my entire village, as you so dramatically put it.”

I greeted everyone with a smile, and they responded warmly in unison. As the introductions began—the kind where a potential suitor is formally presented to the family—my eyes locked with someone I hadn’t seen in four years. Henry. We embraced, exchanging hearty pleasantries. Jane stared at us, mouth agape, clearly surprised.

Henry, her eldest brother, explained that we’d met years ago and become good friends, only to lose contact when he left for a peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

I remembered that day vividly. It was the same night Amarachi shattered my heart and kicked me out of her place. I’d been walking along a lonely expressway when Henry’s Toyota Hilux pulled up.

After hearing my story, he offered me a ride, and from that day, we became close—until life pulled us apart.

What Henry didn’t know was that he was married to Amarachi, my ex—the very woman I’d told him about that night. The irony was almost too much to process.

Henry was a kind, lovable man, but I knew his temper. When angry or betrayed, he could be dangerous, capable of actions he’d later regret. Jane’s family, meanwhile, seemed convinced that Jane and I were on a path to marriage.

After the birthday party, her parents and Henry urged me to stay an extra week. I declined, citing eight court cases I needed to attend to and meetings with clients. To my shock, Jane’s father called the judges and had all my cases postponed.

But staying in Jane’s house was becoming unbearable—not just because of Amarachi’s relentless, seductive advances, but also because of Sharon, who was married to Jane’s immediate elder brother.

Ever since Jane introduced me to the family, Sharon had been uncomfortably forward, her behavior mirroring Amarachi’s in a way that made my skin crawl.

To Be Continued

© Charles N Okere