Anabel walked into the bedroom, calling out,
"Lolo! Lolo!" Her voice echoed through the hallway.
Lolo appeared from the living room, a hint of amusement on her face. "Why are you screaming my name like I'm not right here with you?" she asked, chuckling.
Anabel's expression turned serious. "Lolo, I know you brought a guy to this house," she whispered, her eyes wide with surprise.
Lolo burst out laughing. "What are you talking about?" she asked, still giggling.
Anabel gave Lolo that look of…♦"you know you're not fooling me"♦ …
And Lolo's grin faltered for a moment before she relented.
"Okay, fine," Lolo said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "Yes, a friend of mine visited, and we just talked. He even helped me with the cooking, okay? Happy now?"
Lolo's eyes sparkled with amusement as she added, "Now, are you going to dish up your food, or do I need to do it for you?"
Anabel raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical, and she just shook her head. "A friend of yours visited, really?" she said, "and the room looks like a forest where a hyena attacks its predator."
"Oh my God, Anabel, what are you thinking?" Lolo said. "Hey, wake up from that. Nothing happened, what? Okay fine, the room's a mess, but girl, I'm still recovering. I've been taking care of this house, everything – the room, everywhere. So, can you just give me a good thank you for having a meal to eat right now?"
Lolo walked out, leaving Anabel looking sheepish
Anabel called out,
"Lolo, I'm still talking to you!" She said it jokingly, noticing Lolo was focused on tidying the bedroom. "Come on, fine, I'm just joking, sorry, okay? I think I'm hungry; can you get food for me?"
Lolo replied, "No, you'll go to the kitchen and dish the food for yourself right now. I need to fix the bedroom."
Anabel teased, "Mhm, guess who I met today?"
Lolo responded dramatically, "You know I'm not good with guessing games, so just tell me if you want to share."
Anabel said, "Remember your doctor from Saint Louis Hospital?" Lolo's eyes lit up. "Yeah, I remember him – the one who took care of me during my recovery."
Anabel continued, "Yes, I saw him at the mechanic shop today when I went to pick up my car." Lolo's tone turned playful. "Oh, really? The handsome doctor? I tried giving him a flirtatious look, but he wasn't interested in me. Did he ask about me?"
Anabel smiled mischievously. "Of course, he did. He asked about you."
Lolo's eyes widened. "Wow, that's good. Did you get his number?"
Anabel chuckled. "Hello, girl, what's up with this? We just talked, and he asked if we could catch up anytime, so I gave him my business card. That's all."
Lolo teased, "Oh, so you get to hook up your boss and now my doctor, but I don't get to bring a guy to the house?"
Anabel clarified, "Come on, I never said that. You're free to do whatever you want, but girl, please Lolo, don't make drama out of this"…
Lolo leaned in, a sly grin spreading across my face. "Girl, I've got tea to spill."
Anabel's eyes lit up. "Seriously, please girl, gist me! I need to hear this." Anabel took a deep breath, savoring the drama.
"Well, let's just say I'm not really interested in the doctor... I'm actually seen someone."
Anabel's curiosity was piqued. "Ooh, spill the beans! Who's the lucky guy?"
For some seconds Lolo paused..
Anabel's face contorted in a mixture of shock and amusement.
"The hyena, of course," Lolo said with a straight face, her tone dripping with nonchalance.
Anabel's eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a burst of laughter. "Girl, you are one crazy bitch," she exclaimed, her voice laced with playful exasperation.
The two friends dissolved into a fit of giggles and laughter, their bodies shaking with mirth. In a flash, pillows began flying through the air, Lolo and Anabel tossing them at each other with reckless abandon. The soft cushions landed with gentle thuds, and the friends' laughter grew louder, their joy infectious.
… . . . . .
Mike's mother sat beside him on the bed, her expression a mix of concern and disappointment.
Edna asked me to give you this," she said gently, handing over their engagement ring to him. "She left son. she said ,she won't forgive you."
Mike's gaze drifted away, his eyes fixed on some distant point beyond the window. His mother placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Why didn't you tell me about all this? I could have tried to help."
Mike turned back to her, a hint of resignation in his voice. "What could you have done, Mom? Even if I told you, what would have changed?"
His mother's brow furrowed. "I might have understood better, offered some advice... But why did it have to end like this?"
Mike shook his head, a firm resolve in his voice. "It's better this way. She's got her celebrity life to live, and I'm not ready for that kind of relationship. I want someone who wants the same things I do—marriage, kids... Someone who shares my values. Edna's lifestyle... It's just not for me."
He took a deep breath, the weight of his words settling heavily in the air. His voice firmed, but beneath the surface, a hint of pain and frustration simmered. "Right now, my focus is on the company. I want to see it grow, to exceed our competitors. I need clarity, stability – a sense of control in my life." His eyes clouded for a moment, the memory of Edna's departure still raw. "This... This wasn't it. I wasn't ready for the drama, the uncertainty. I need something more solid, more meaningful."
The silence that followed was thick with emotion, the tension between them cold.
His mother looked at him with a mix of empathy and calculation.
She knew her son was hurting, but she also saw the determination in him, the drive to succeed no matter what.
"I understand your pain son, but you know her father is one of the wealthiest men in the city, he's a big fish. I was thinking, maybe you two could work together, combine your resources and connections. With her family's influence and your business acumen, we could reach new heights."
Mike raised gave her a skeptical look. "You mean, even after everything that's happened? I don't know, Mum. I'm not sure I'm ready to go into business with someone who's just going to bring drama and stress into my life."
His mother leaned in, her voice taking a motherly tone…."It's alright son, we can do without her family's backing. I'm here to support you in any way I can."
His mother kissed his head, understanding dawning on her face. "You deserve someone who aligns with your goals and values."
The tension in the room dissipated slightly as Mike's mother wrapped her arms around him. "We'll get through this, son. Together."
Mike felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thank you, Mum," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I promise you, I won't disappoint you."
His mother smiled, her eyes warm with pride. "Yeah, I know you won't, son. So, tell me, how's the work going? Any new developments or challenges?"
She changed the topic.
Mike leaned back, launching into a detailed discussion about his company's latest projects and progress.
His mother nodded in approval. "I know a smart woman when I see one, you've made the right decision, son. Anabel is just the right key for this business venture."
Mike smiled, feeling a sense of agreement and support in sharing his work with his mother.
"You're right, Mum. Anabel's skills and expertise are totally valuable."
As they wrapped up their conversation, Mike's mother offered some parting words of wisdom.
"Take care of yourself, son, both in business and in life. You're doing great things, and I don't want you to burn out."
Mike nodded, feeling grateful for her guidance. His mother leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"I'm proud of you, Mike. You're making great decisions."
With a lovely smile, she turned to leave Mike's room, the soft blue glow of the bedside lamp casting a warm light on her face as she headed out. Mike watched her go, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. "Goodnight, Mum," he called out softly.
His mother's voice carried back to him, warm and loving. "Goodnight, son," she replied, her tone filled with affection. "I love you."
Mike's heart swelled with emotion as he heard the familiar words, feeling a deep sense of comfort and connection with his mother. He smiled, feeling grateful for her love and support. "I love you too, Mum," he whispered, the words barely audible as he settled back into his pillows, a sense of calmness surrounded him.
… . . . . . .
Mike lay down, but sleep seemed like a distant luxury. His eyes remained open, staring blankly at nothing as he adjusted the temperature of the air conditioner.
Despite adjusting the temperature and snuggling under his duvet, restlessness lingered.
He picked up his phone, scrolling mindlessly through TikTok updates. Videos blurred together, but none held his attention.
That was when he stumbled upon Anabel's video. Without thinking, he liked it and left a comment, hoping for a sign.
Hours passed, but Anabel didn't respond. Curiosity got the better of him, and he sent her a direct message:
"Hi Anabel."
The screen flickered, awaiting her response. Mike's anticipation grew, wondering if she'd reply and what she'd say.
Three minutes felt like an eternity, but then his phone buzzed. Mike's heart skipped a beat as he saw her reply:
"Hello Sir".
A small smile crept onto his face. He typed out a response:
"Hey Anabel,How's your day going?"
He hesitated for a moment before hitting send, wondering how she'd respond to his casual question.
The wait for her reply felt like a suspenseful pause, filled with anticipation. His eyes focused on his phone's screen.
The seconds ticked by, and Mike's anxiety grew. Just as he was about to put his phone down, Anabel replied... "I'm doing alright, thanks for asking."
Mike's fingers flew across the screen. "I really want to apologize for everything. I know you hate me right now, maybe we could sit down tomorrow and talk? How about that?"
He sent the message, his heart racing with anticipation, hoping she would agree to meet and give him a chance to make things right.
Anabel's response arrived, a simple yet hopeful "Okay".
Mike felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Goodnight," he typed, feeling a sense of closure.
"Goodnight" ,she replied. Her words ended their conversation in a mild and gentle way.
Mike rested his back comfortably and felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The tension in his body eased, and he started to feel hot. He reached for the AC remote and turned it up. Then, he closed his eyes and let exhaustion take over. For the first time in hours, Mike fell asleep, with the promise of a new beginning on his mind.
...
Saturday morning arrived slowly. Anabel was still asleep, breathing softly. Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a message: ♦♦♦"Hello Anabel, hope you slept well."♦♦♦
Lolo's eyes quickly went to the screen. She saw the sender's name - Mike.
Lolo's eyes sparkled and blinked as she looked at Anabel, who was still sleeping. She shook her head and quietly left the room to start her morning routine.
A few minutes later, Anabel woke up. She stretched her arms above her head and yawned, arching her back like a cat. When she sat up, she noticed Lolo was not in the room. Anabel smiled, thinking Lolo must be getting ready for the day. She went to the bathroom to brush her teeth, wash her face, and freshen up. When she came out, she was surprised to see Lolo sitting in a yoga pose, her eyes closed, and a finger raised to her lips.
Anabel's eyes widened in surprise. "Lolo, this your yoga will kill me!, girl what are you doing" she joked.
Lolo opened one eye, the other squeezed shut, and said, "Okay, fine. Tell me what's going on?" Then, she opened both eyes, her gaze intense, and asked, "Your boss sent you a good morning message... Hmm, what's the story behind it?"
Anabel threw up her hands. "Lolo, I've told you - nothing's going on! I don't have feelings for him anymore. I'm done with men treating me like a whore. Whatever he's doing, it's not my business, the only thing I owe him is just work related stuffs. Period."
Lolo looked at Anabel's face, searching for any sign of dishonesty, but Anabel's expression stayed firm.
Lolo started to say something, but Anabel cut her off. "No, but he's engaged," Anabel said.
Lolo rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, we know he's engaged. But rich people don't work out with rich people, you should know about that. I think he likes you. Remember when he came over and spent the night here? He disappeared without a word. Did he even tell you why or send you any message?"
Anabel shook her head. "We don't really talk outside of work. But something did happen at the office."
Lolo's eyes lit up with curiosity. "What happened? Tell me, don't keep it inside."
Anabel took a deep breath. "He actually kissed me again in the office. I told him it wasn't right, and he got angry. The way he spoke to me was unfair. I don't know how I feel about him anymore, Lolo. I think he's not for me."
Lolo smiled jokingly. "Don't worry, maybe the doctor is for you."
"I think you're crazy," Anabel said, shaking her head. "Just go ahead with your yoga routine, okay? I'll make us some breakfast. Crazy girl",she muttered.
… .. . . . . .
Mike sat in his hotel suite, surrounded by breathtaking city views. Across from him was a young interviewer, a poised and attractive woman with sparkling eyes. As they talked, she couldn't help but notice Mike's strong features and charming smile.
She said….
"Thank you for having us Mr. Mike, And I must say your apartment and the view from here is absolutely stunning."
Mike smiled graciously, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Thank you for the lovely words," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. "It's a hotel suite, but I'm glad you're enjoying the view. Shall we get started?" He leaned forward slightly, his interest in the conversation evident.
The interview began, and the woman asked insightful questions about his company. When it was time to discuss Mike's success, she leaned forward, her voice curious. "What would you say has been your success?"
Mike's response was thoughtful…
"For me, success isn't just about achieving goals or making profits. It's about being a good leader and serving others. When you prioritize your team's well-being and growth, the results follow naturally."...His words were laced with conviction, and the interviewer nodded, impressed.
The interviewer smiled warmly. "Is there someone special in your life, Mr. Mike?" she asked, her tone gentle.
Mike's expression softened. "Yes, there is," he replied. "My mother. She's been a constant source of love, support, and guidance throughout my life. I owe a lot of my success to her." His eyes sparkled with affection as he spoke, revealing a tender side to his personality.
The interviewer beamed with admiration. "That's so beautiful to say, Mr.Mike," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.
With the interview concluded, Mike nodded to his butler, who stepped forward to assist him. "I'd like to get ready to head out," Mike instructed. "Please arrange my new outfit." The butler nodded and began to help Mike prepare for his next engagement.
As the butler assisted Mike, the interviewer gathered her things, still admiring his features. "Thank you again, Mr. Mike, for your time and insights. It was a pleasure interviewing you."
Mike smiled, buttoning his shirt. "The pleasure was mine. I hope your readers enjoy the piece."
With a final nod, the interviewer exited the suite, while Mike finished getting ready, looking smart in his new outfit.