As they sat down, Anabel became engrossed in her phone, scrolling through her messages with a distant expression.
Meanwhile, Lolo was multi-tasking, creating a TikTok kit while simultaneously chatting with an online client. However, her attention shifted when she noticed Anabel's subdued demeanor. Lolo's gaze shifted on her friend's face, and she sensed that something was off.
"Hello! , Annabel, are you here?" Lolo asked, trying to snap her friend out of her reverie. But Anabel didn't respond, lost in thought as she pondered Mike's proposal.
Lolo's curiosity was piqued, and she set aside her phone and laptop, focusing solely on Anabel.
"What's wrong?" Lolo asked, her voice softening with concern. Anabel's gaze drifted back to the present, and she murmured, "Mike did apologize and asked if we could hang out." Lolo's eyes widened in surprise.
"Girl, what? And you didn't tell me?" Lolo exclaimed, her tone a mix of excitement and curiosity. "When did he say that?"
Anabel replied, her voice barely above a whisper, "Last night."
Lolo's interest was now fully piqued, and she leaned forward, her eyes locked on Anabel's. "Oh, last night? So, what are you doing right now? When did he say you guys should meet? Where?" she asked, her questions tumbling out in rapid succession.
Anabel's lips curled into a sly smile as she responded, "What's wrong with this one?"
Lolo's eyes sparkled with knowing glint. "Don't tell me what I'm thinking right now," she said, her voice laced with amusement.
Anabel's smile grew wider. "Yes, what you're thinking right now – that's what I'm thinking," she replied, her tone playful. Lolo's face lit up with excitement.
"Girl, you're joking! You must be kidding! We got a date to plan, okay?" Lolo exclaimed, abandoning her tasks and rising from her seat. She reached out to Anabel, trying to coax her into action. "Come on, let's get planning!" she urged, her enthusiasm infectious.
As Lolo dragged Anabel to their bedroom, Lolo began rummaging through the wardrobe, pulling out outfit after outfit for Anabel to choose from. "Which one do you like? This dress or the red top?" she asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
Anabel sat on the bed, her expression subdued. "Lolo, I'm telling you, this isn't a date. He just wants to apologize and make up for what happened in the office," she said, trying to downplay the situation.
Lolo turned around, a knowing glint in her eye. "Girl, don't play dumb. You've been thinking about him nonstop since morning and he even dropped a good morning message to you. This is definitely a date," she teased, holding up a red dress.
Anabel shook her head. "No, no, no. We're just hanging out as friends. Let's not make a big deal out of this," she said, her tone laced with a mix of amusement and annoyance. "And moreover he hasn't call or say anything pertaining to it"
Lolo raised an eyebrow. "You're not even trying to dress up for him, and you look sad. Girl, what's going on? You're not excited at all," she observed, her voice tinged with concern.
Anabel sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Honestly, Lolo, I'm just not sure about this. I don't want to get my hopes up or get hurt again," she admitted, her voice was calm and broken.
Lolo sat down beside her, putting a reassuring arm around her shoulders. "We'll take it one step at a time, okay? Let's just focus on having a good time and seeing where things go, and remember you said it's not a date, he just wants to apologize" she said, her voice soft and encouraging.
"Lolo I know I'm a mess right now and I blame myself for messing around with him. I've made choices that might not have worked out, but I don't regret them." Anabel said with a hint of bitterness.
Lolo's expression softened as she moved closer to Anabel, taking her hands in hers. "I know you've been through a lot, girl. I know you've made choices that might not have been easy, and I don't blame you for any of it. You deserve to be happy, okay? Just be happy."
Anabel's eyes welled up slightly as Lolo's words struck a chord. Just then, her phone buzzed with a notification. She glanced down, and her expression changed. Lolo's eyes followed Anabel's gaze to her phone, and she asked, "What is it?"
Anabel handed over her phone, revealing Mike's message with the meeting location. Lolo's eyes scanned the screen, and she looked up at Anabel with a questioning gaze. "Do you still want to go?" she asked softly.
Anabel hesitated for a moment before responding, "Well, let me just see how it goes."
… .. . . … .
Mike sat at a discreet table in the upscale restaurant, surrounded by beautiful décor that was elegant, with fancy wood tones and light velvet drapes that seemed to touch anyone's heart.
The aroma of fine cuisine wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of fresh flowers on the tables.
As he waited for Anabel, Mike's eyes occasionally drifted to the entrance, his gaze meeting one of the waitresses. Meanwhile, his phone buzzed intermittently with work calls and messages, which he silenced with a swift gesture, his attention divided between the incoming notifications and the waitress.
The restaurant's background music – a smooth blues melody – provided a soothing ambiance, but Mike's mind was preoccupied with the impending meeting. He sipped his glass of water, his fingers drumming a subtle rhythm on the tablecloth as he waited for Anabel's arrival.
Just as Mike was starting to relax, his phone rang again. He glanced at the screen, his expression turning serious. "I'm on my way," he said curtly, answering the call. "I'll be there in five minutes."
Without hesitation, Mike stood up, his chair scraping softly against the floor. He signaled to his chauffeur, who was discreetly waiting nearby, and quickly made his way out of the restaurant.
"Let's go," Mike instructed his chauffeur, already walking toward the car. The chauffeur nodded and followed closely behind, the doors of the restaurant sliding open to admit the cool evening air as they exited.
Anabel pulled into the restaurant's driveway, and a well-dressed valet attendant guided her into a parking spot. After parking, she tried calling Mike, but he wasn't answering. Wondering where he was.
Her exuded elegance as she stepped out of her car, her black gown hugging her curves in all the right places. The butterfly rope heels added a touch of sophistication to her overall look, beautifying her legs and accentuating her confident stride. Her hair was styled perfectly, framing her face and drawing attention to her striking features.
She entered the restaurant and took a seat at a table, looking around hopefully.
As the minutes ticked by – 15, 30, 45, and finally an hour – Anabel frustration grew. She continued to try Mike's line, but he didn't answer. Her anger simmered just below the surface. A waiter approached, asking if she needed anything, and Anabel ordered a fruit juice, though she didn't touch it.
Anabel stood up, her movements decisive, and walked out of the restaurant, heading towards the car park. She saw Mike's car pulling into the driveway. The chauffeur honked the horn, and Anabel turned to see Mike stepping out. She tried to maintain her angry expression, not wanting to let her feelings show.
Mike hurried over, apologizing profusely. "I'm so sorry, Anabel. An urgent call came in, and I had to take care of it. I wrapped things up as quickly as I could to meet you."
Anabel's response was cool. "I think I'm just going to head home. It's fine."
But Mike persisted, asking if they could sit down and talk. He apologized again, explaining the situation, and Anabel eventually relented.
He held her hands gently as they both went inside back.
They sat down together, Mike still apologizing, and Anabel's anger slowly giving way to a mix of emotions.
… .. . . … ..
Mike's mother sat in the living room of her home, her phone pressed to her ear as she listened to Edna's father vent his frustration. His anger was something else, even over the line, and she could almost feel the weight of his disappointment. "I apologize, I truly do," she said soothingly, her voice calm and measured. "This isn't a final breakup, I'm certain of it. Mike and Edna will work things out; I'll make sure of it."
As she spoke, she leaned back into the couch, her eyes drifting around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings. She had known Edna's father for years, having worked alongside him in business circles during her late husband's lifetime. His influence and reputation in the industry were well-respected, and she valued their long-standing relationship.
With a gentle tone, she continued to placate him, aware that his anger stemmed from a place of concern for his daughter's well-being. "Let's not jump to conclusions, my dear. I'll speak with Mike, and we'll find a way to resolve this. Everything will be fine, I promise." Her words were laced with a soothing calm, aimed at diffusing the tension and reassuring him that the situation was under control.
As the call finally came to an end, Mike's mother let out a deep sigh, relieved to have navigated the tense conversation with Edna's father. She sat in silence for a moment, her mind replaying the discussion. "Hmm, so you think my son is going to marry that...thing?" she muttered to herself, her tone laced with skepticism. "You must be joking." She shook her head, a mixture of amusement and disdain crossing her face.
With a heavy sigh, she pushed herself up from the couch and walked towards her bedroom.
As they sat down together, Mike launched into an apology, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I'm so sorry about everything, Anabel. I feel terrible about what happened and I really don't want any affair with you..you are beautiful and…." Anabel cut him off, her voice calm but firm. "Don't worry about it, Mike. Honestly, I don't want any relationship either. It's not like I need anything from you. Whatever happens, happens. I'm just working for you, and that's it."
Mike looked at her intently, his eyes searching for signs of anger or hurt. "You shouldn't be angry with me," he said softly. Anabel shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm not angry, Mike. Not at all. It's just one of those things that happens. I'm cool with it."
The tension between them dissipated, and they chatted easily, the conversation flowing smoothly. Mike brought up the topic of his ex-fiancée Edna, explaining the situation and why he had shown up at her place that night. "I was frustrated, and I needed a place to go. Your place just came to mind," he admitted, looking sheepish. Anabel listened attentively, her expression understanding. Mike apologized again for his behavior, and Anabel accepted, their mutual understanding growing. As they talked, and enjoyed their meal, the air between them cleared, and they both seemed to relax in each other's presence.
… .. . . . . .
Annabelle drove home, exhausted, and knocked on the door, waiting for Lolo to let her in. Twenty minutes passed, and she was still standing outside, knocking and calling Lolo's phone. Finally, the door swung open, and Lolo's surprised face appeared. "Anne, I thought you'd be back soon," Lolo said, concern etched on her features.
Anabel raised an eyebrow. "Come on girl, I've been out for hours. What did you expect? Should I sleep there?" Lolo stepped aside, allowing Anabel to enter. As she walked in, Anabel's eyes scanned the living room, sensing a strange atmosphere. Her gaze drifted to the left, where a young man sat, and he waved at her. Anabel returned the wave, her eyes lingering on him for a moment before she continued to her room.
Lolo followed close behind, she apologetically placed her hands together, signaling for him to wait. In the bedroom, Anabel turned to Lolo and said, "What's going on? Go sit with your visitor." Lolo laughed and replied, "Well, I think you interrupted us." Anabel smiled wryly. "It's all fine. The spare room is there; you guys can do whatever you want." Lolo's eyes sparkled with amusement, but Anabel just shook her head, already knowing what was going on.
. … .. . . . . . .
"How was your day, son?" she asked, her voice warm. Mike shrugged, his expression neutral. "It was fine, Mum. I just need to rest and prepare for a meeting tomorrow." His mother's eyes narrowed slightly. "Tomorrow is Sunday, Mike. Are you still working?"
Mike nodded. "Yes, Mum. I need to wrap up some things." His mother sighed, but her expression softened when he mentioned work. Then, she dropped a bombshell. "Edna's father called. He was furious." Mike's expression darkened, but his mother quickly reassured him. "Don't worry about it, son. I'll take care of it."
Mike's response was laced with incredulity. "Is that man serious?" His mother smiled wryly, but Mike just leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight, Mum." As he pulled back, his mother reminded him, "You ate outside again, didn't you? Mike, I've told you to always eat at home. I always prepare meals for you." Mike's apology was swift. "Please, Mum. I'm sorry. I'm okay. We'll talk tomorrow."
With that, he bid her goodnight and retreated to his room, leaving his mother to wonder about the complexities of her son's life.
Mike stepped into his bedroom,kicked off his shoes, feeling the soft carpet beneath his feet, and began to shed his clothes, his movements fluid and deliberate. His first priority was a shower, a ritual he cherished after a long day. He walked into the bathroom, the cool tiles a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the bedroom.
As he turned on the shower, the sound of rushing water filled the air, and steam began to rise. Mike stepped under the warm spray..
His physique, honed from years of regular exercise, glistened with water droplets, reading the definition of his muscles. The water cascaded down his broad shoulders, strong back, and chiseled chest, a true testament to his dedication to fitness.
With a deep breath, Mike let the warmth seep into his muscles, feeling the tension melt away.
After a few moments of bliss, Mike turned off the shower, grabbed a towel, and began to dry himself, the soft fabric a gentle caress on his skin.
Somehow his thought flashed back to the beautiful lady he just left…Her dress, the smile and everything played in his mind, his body began to react with funny feelings.
"Fuck"..he cursed.
He looked down to the erection..
He wrapped the towel around his waist, feeling horny and the thought of how to tackle the evening made him feel restless.
Anabel freshened up and emerged to join Lolo and her guest, a warm smile on her face. As she entered the living room, Lolo's eyes lit up, and she beckoned Anabel over.
"Anne, this is Victor, my boyfriend," Lolo said, her voice filled with affection.
Anabel's eyes widened in surprise, and she extended a warm welcome. "You're welcome, Victor. I'm sorry to say this, but I think Lolo's been hiding you from me. Finally, I get to meet you!"
Victor chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "She's said a lot of beautiful things about you, Anabel. I'm so happy to meet you today." An
nabel's smile grew wider. "I hope you're comfortable. Do you need anything?" Victor assured her he was fine, and Anabel's joy took over. "Tell me about yourself," she prompted.
Victor launched into a brief introduction, mentioning he was in his final year in college and aspiring to secure a job as an artist in his uncle's company. Anabel's interest was piqued, and she asked, "So, how did you two meet?" Lolo playfully rolled her eyes, but Victor took the question in stride. "We met online," he began. "Lolo was one of the people who helped me through a tough time. I lost my mom a few months ago, and our conversations online...she was just there for me. We connected, and...well, the rest is history."
As Victor spoke, Anabel's expression softened, and she exchanged a warm glance with Lolo. It was clear that Victor was genuine, and Lolo had found someone special. The atmosphere in the room grew more relaxed, and the three of them chatted easily, getting to know each other better.
… . . . … . ..
Sunday passed quietly, a day of rest and relaxation. However, Mike's calm was disrupted by work-related tasks that demanded his attention. As the day drew to a close, the serenity was shattered by a sudden phone call. Mike's phone buzzed, Edna's father's name flashing ominously on the screen. Mike's expression darkened as he listened to the man's angry tirade, his face a mask of calm restraint. He didn't utter a word until the call abruptly ended, the silence that followed heavy with tension.
Rachel sat in the salon chair, surrounded by the hum of hair dryers and the chatter of stylists. As she waited for her hair to be styled, she struck up a conversation with the stylist and other patrons. Her voice carried a confident tone as she shared her opinions on relationships.
"A woman needs to do everything possible to get a man, no matter what," Rachel said, her words laced with conviction. "As long as the man is into her, she should stop at nothing to make sure she gets him."
The stylist and other women in the salon listened intently, some nodding in agreement while others exchanged skeptical glances.
Rachel's words hung in the air, a reflection of her own experiences and beliefs about love and relationships.
The conversation flowed easily, with the women sharing their own stories and insights. As Rachel's hair was styled and her nails were done, she felt a sense of empowerment, ready to take on the world with her newfound confidence.
...
Mike's mind was preoccupied with the conversation he had with Edna's father earlier. Anger simmered beneath the surface as he thought about the man's words. He picked up his phone and dialed a number, his voice firm and authoritative as he spoke to the person on the other end.
"I need you to take care of something for me," Mike said, his tone brooking no argument. "I want you to buy those shares in Anabel's name. Make sure it's clear that it is not the company behind the purchase." The person on the other end responded promptly, "Yes, sir."
Mike's instructions were precise. "I want everything to be done discreetly, but make sure Anabel's name is front and center. I want him to know that I'm not the one behind this move." The person on the other end acknowledged, "I understand, sir. Everything will be done as you instructed."
With the call ended, Mike felt a sense of satisfaction. He was taking control, making moves to assert his power and influence. The game was on, and Mike was ready to play.