shadow of love episode 26

I went back to my car, opened the door and sat down, leaving my legs on the floor with my door open. I brought out my phone and started logged in to my Nairaland account to check Purityval's latest update but nothing, the guy was yet to update. I logged out and dropped the phone.

Harry or what was his name again was leaning on his car, smoking and giving me a devilish look. i was about to go down and return his stares when a car honked behind him. I smiled. This was going to be fun. I came down and we both stared at ourselves before he walked up to me while the car kept on honking.

Harry: Are you into politics? Women should be submissive y’know.

I smiled and tapped on my phone.

Me: Definitely not submissive to your kind of man. Men should respect women alright? Move out of the way before that car rams into your old, rickety bus.

Now don't mind me. He was riding a very cute venza but I was just getting back at him for calling my car.......what was it again?

Harry: You obviously........

The car honked louder and longer.

Me: Do you need a tow van? I can help you call one.

He hissed and walked to his car before getting in and driving off. I got into mine and drove off too, heading to the mall.

That weekend, the estate was having a barbeque and everyone was expected to come. I heard it happened once in two years and they used it as a medium to let everyone in Akpaka know each other. I had parked in the previous year and believe me, I wouldn't like anyone being all friendly with me and disturbing my quiet life. I wasn't going. I'll use that Saturday evening to go through the necessary files I'll be needing for the meeting on Monday.

I woke up that Saturday morning around 5:30am, wore a black short, my Arsenal jersey and a trainer, I let my long hair loose, picked up my headset, locked my door and started my Saturday jogging to the gym. It was something I started doing during the service year and my own way of keeping fit. I spent two hours at the gym before jogging back to the estate (don't worry, the estate isn't far from the gym anyways). By 8:45, I was at the estate gate. I decided to walk the rest of the way.

The song was playing on my head so loud that I didn't know someone was calling me and following my quick strides till he touched my shoulder. I turned and was shocked at who I was seeing. Leonard.

Me: Leonard!

We went into each other's arms immediately. I had to take off my headset. He was looking like a macho guy, grew taller and even more handsome.

Leonard: Run away princess.

I hit his arm playfully and he smiled, looking at me with the eyes of a teenager.

Leonard: Look how much you've grown. Come here.

We hugged again, then he carried me up like I was a little girl.

Me: Drop me Leo.

And he did. I was shy because onlookers were all staring with smiles on their face.

Leonard: So when did you start visiting the gym?

Me: How....

Leonard: I was there. Followed you from there

Me: You're not serious.

Leonard: Wanted to follow you to your door but I was surprised when you walked into the estate cause I didn't know you live here.

Me: You live here too?

Leonard: Yes. My dad owned this estate and many others. It was willed to me together with his business empire after he passed on.

Me: Wow. Sorry about your loss.

Leonard: Happened the year you ran away from us. Come, let's walk to your apartment.

He placed his hand around my shoulder and we started the glorious walk to my house. Six years and I'm meeting him again, I prayed silently not to meet anyone from my past again. If not for anything, I loved the simple and quiet life I had now



We had gone into discussion immediately we went in. He had gushed at my living room decors, saying I was still single yet living in one of the expensive houses in the estate. What do I stand to loose? Daddy was paying anyways. He owned and managed RSSL corporations, he was yet to find that woman he would call his own.

Me: Wow. You're not married? At your age?

Leonard: I'm still too young. I've got a baby mama but I'm not ready to settle down with her. I'm looking for that girl that will sweep me off my feet and not leave me hanging the same way you did to William.

I frowned.

Leonard: Yes. You don't know what William went through after you left. Your line was disconnected, Facebook account wasn't active and just when we tried to locate you, our families decided we'll go for our masters. You really hurt us, William especially.

Me: But I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt anybody. I was dunning away from the heartbreak and disappointment. William never talked about loving me again so.....

Leonard: We had to attend their wedding because we thought you'd be in attendance. William had never stopped wishing he could see you again. But I believe God does things in his own way and time.

I felt bad. That's why I didn't want anyone from my past to come back into my life. My past housed lots of pains and heartbreaks but one thing is for sure.....Leonard was here now and I'll be seeing William very soon.

Leonard: So tell me, what have you being up to?

I raised my head and looked at him. Images of our last time together came back to my head. i swallowed hard and cleared my throat.

Me: Uhm....I've been doing fine. CEO of my dad's company, De Bernards. Nothing really interesting going on in my life outside work.

Leonard: Heard of De Bernards. Had being there a couple of times last year.

Me: Last year, I was in Texas. Just resumed work this year.

Leonard: Glad you're really good cause I've heard a lot about the company.

Me: Thank you.

Leonard: Look Pamela, I'm sorry if I used the wrong words but you don't have to blame me. The way you left was not good and closing all communication links was not just right.

Me: Tobe was calling me, he was on my Facebook, my twitter, everywhere. That was all I could do to get him out of my head.

Leonard: And you didn't trust us to keep you safe from him? William almost died.

Me: What?

Leonard: Yes. I even became mad at him for letting you bite deep into his system.

Me: How....I mean, how's he now?

Leonard: He's fine. Very fine. I'll tell him I met you.

Me: No please don't do that. At least not yet.

He smiled and shook his head.

Leonard: You don't need to bother about anything. For now, I'll go back home and shower, change into something better and come over for breakfast. Hope your meals are still delicious?

That was the typical Leo. He always has a way of making one's mood change just with words.

Me: I'll ask you to be the judge of that. I've got sauce in the fridge so I'll just make rice.

Leonard: Cool.

I walked him to the door and he dropped a peck on my forehead.

Leonard: I'll be right back.

Me: Alright.

I locked my door and slumped on the floor. William. How do I escape this time? I didn't know that leaving them all would cause such problems and more heartbreak. Tobe was a cursed being. I cursed the day I met him. The feelings of love I had for him had now been turned to hatred. God help him I don't meet him till I die.

I stood up and went upstairs, removed my clothes and walked down unclad, making way to the kitchen. Advantages of living alone. You could do anything the way you liked. I tied an apron over my naked self and began the process of cooking. I was going to make this breakfast a beautiful one. Then once I'm done with the contract, I'll make plans on how to meet William and apologise for all I did to him.