Sisterhood episode 41

TITLE: SISTERHOOD

AUTHOR: OGECHI ALABI

CHAPTER 41

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Esther was in her room on a Friday afternoon when she was told she had a visitor. She came out to the sitting room and almost dropped dead. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Standing there in the flesh was Jake. She had spoken with him the day before, how did he do it? She walked into his open arms and they embraced.

Jake stood to take a good look at her. “You are even more beautiful than I remembered.” She blushed at his comment. He looked good too. He had added some weight and built muscle.

“When did you come back?”

“This morning. I took a flight to Warri and came down here. I had to see you. I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too. Have a sit. Would you eat?”

“Not the food you want to offer me. Let’s go back to Lagos together. Tell your father something came up and let’s go.”

“Ah! He won’t agree. I have to look for what exactly to tell him.”

“Think about it and tell him. We can leave tomorrow. Where can I get a good hotel here?”

“You won’t get the ones you are used to but I can get you something close. Let me tell my brother I am going out and freshen up.”

She went to take another bath, moisturised her skin, used different fragrances, and wore a beautiful dress with her shoes and bag. She looked hot with the makeup she did. They left together for the hotel.

In the room, Jake wanted to have sex with her. Esther was reluctant. She told him she would rather they talked before jumping into the sack. She asked him, “Have the goods arrived yet?”

“They came with me. They are yet to be delivered, I want you with me when it is done.”

“Why?”

“So you will know I am doing this just once and we move on. I have promised you that. I love you and I want to give you the best life ever.”

Esther was silent. Jake looked at her. She was wondering why he wanted to be with her so much. She had missed him. Her thoughts have been sticking with the guy that was her first lover. It looked like Jake had changed and wanted her badly. She felt he loved her for coming immediately after he landed to see her.

Jake walked up to her and took her in his arms. He gently cajoled her into the bed with him. They kissed passionately. She didn’t want it to go further but the emotions and the sensations she was feeling got her excited and she let her guard down. He made love to her as he had never done before. She squirted with him that day for the first time. She felt so embarrassed while he was excited.

He took her back home later in the evening and asked her to devise a way for them to travel together to Lagos so she can be with him. He kissed her passionately and told her he loved her. He called her his wife.

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Esther told her father she was informed there were challenges with her result she might not go for NYSC unless they are resolved. Her father asked her to travel the next morning to school.

She went to meet Jake. He was excited to see her. They made love again that morning before they travelled to Lagos. When they got to Lagos, they went to the hotel he was staying in. He was at a 5-star hotel. He occupied the presidential suite. An elderly man came out of one of the rooms. Jake greeted him and introduced Esther to him. The man smiled. He accepted her greetings.

Jake took Esther into the room and asked her to remain there until he comes for her. He didn’t want anyone to see her otherwise they will be uncomfortable.

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“Did you have sex with her?”

“Baba, I did. Last night and this morning.”

“It will go well. Remember, you must respect her and never make her cry otherwise you will go back to suffering. If you must break up, let it be amicable but continue to have sex with her. Let her be happy always.”

“Baba, she is my wife. Once I conclude this deal, I want to buy a house, furnish it and then go and marry her.”

“Good idea. But let her make money decisions for you. Spend money on her it will return tenfold.”

“Ah! Anything you say baba, I will do.”

“Marry her quickly. Make her love you and be loyal to you. Remember all the warnings I have given to you.”

“I have heard you. Can I do the transaction now?”

“Yes. But touch her before you go. Always touch her.”

Jake came into the room and had sex with Esther again. He then said he was going for the business and then left. He went to the banks and reactivated all his accounts both corporate and personal. Then he met up with the clients and handed custody of the consignment. It took twenty-four hours for the confirmation and the accounts credited. The payment was made via a bureau de change. He received his share of the one billion naira.

He took Esther house hunting. They found a house in Ikeja and he paid for it. He got a contractor to renovate and furnish the house before they moved in. Esther asked him to buy other buildings for rent and a plaza for business and rent. He was told about buildings in computer village for sale. He took Esther there. She checked the businesses happening around there and advised him to consider the importation of phones, accessories and laptops.

“We are not going to live very large until we start the business. We will buy the buildings and get a small place to live while you understudy the business.”

“What of the other businesses I was doing before? They were lucrative.”

“You are looking for a business where you will be seeing girls; it won’t work. You need to build your brand.”

“Ok. We have to get married very soon so I can start the business with you. We will go and understudy the business together.”

“Get married? Why the rush?”

“You don’t know? How many times have I made love to you? I am willing to do it again now. I have missed you. And I don’t want you to meet your boyfriend again. We have to be together.”

“But I requested to be posted to Port-Harcourt, Rivers state to serve.”

“Where there are promiscuous and randy men? Ah, no o. You will serve in Lagos while we build our business. It is who you allow to see me that can see me. So, it is time to tell your father about me.”

Jake wasn’t joking and Esther could see that. He brought back gifts for her and members of her family. She had to tell her father when she returned to Sapele. Jake didn’t allow her to go back. She made him leave the hotel for a more affordable hotel before the house was ready.

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Esther confided in Funke whom she saw often about it. Jake bought her a brand new car and gave her a driver. She was very happy. When she told Funke that Jake came back and wanted to marry her, she was shocked. She could see Esther was glowing; she was happy.

“Is he for real?” Funke asked.

“He is o! He has gone through hell and he is back now to make a family with me. I don’t know why he chose me but I am glad. I am marrying the guy who was my first. He has proved his love for me. I am making all the decisions in our family. He has been wonderful.”

“Jake came back for you? After the betrayal, he came back. As long as you are happy, who am I?”

“I am travelling back to Sapele to tell my parents. Please, can uncle Tobi help post me to Lagos instead of Rivers state?”

“I will inform him right away. You might marry before myself and Zainab even at this rate.”

“It is possible.”

“We have to tell Nkem. You know she has always given wise counsel.”

They talked to Nkem and Zainab. They were both very excited for Esther. They planned the wedding. Esther was happy and excited about sharing with her close friends.

What she failed to tell them was that the man in the hotel with them had called her early hours of one morning. It was as though she was in a trance. He said to her, “Jake is your husband. His wealth is in your hands. No matter what happens, protect your husband. He will give you anything and everything you want as long as you shield him. Your body is his temple. Where he is from, women don’t go outside unless you want to kill him and your children. If he misbehaves, report him to me and I will set him straight. Remember, his wealth is in your hands.”

She remembered everything he said to her before he left. She took it as advice and held on to it. To her, it meant Jake was serious about her. Since then, he had been pushing for them to get married.

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Esther travelled to Sapele with Jake to see her father and stepmother. He was well received. He made his intentions towards her known. He confessed to the father he was her first and only boyfriend. He explained he was a businessman and he just came back from abroad to establish himself.

Her father was happy to receive him. They discussed further. Jake was able to convince her parents he was for real. He asked for a date for the family introduction and traditional marriage. He told her father he wanted her to serve with him in Lagos and they would run the business together.

It was moving too fast. Esther’s father asked Jake to come with his family but to give him time to investigate him before they talk about marriage rites. It was fine by Jake.

Three weeks later, both families met. Jake’s family requested the marriage rites and dates. Esther’s father was worried it was moving too fast and moved it for two months. The following week, Esther was posted for NYSC to Lagos state. Her father’s biggest fear was her getting pregnant before she is properly married.

The following month both the traditional and church wedding were done. Esther became Mrs Esther Jake-Osagie. It was the first wedding from the group and the friends were present to celebrate with Esther.

It was a lavish wedding. Jake spared no expense. Esther was worried the show of wealth would expose him but he didnt seem to care. She took over decisions completely after the wedding. Jake listened to everything she said. She enjoyed bliss immediately after the wedding.

Tbc