The miracle I need episode 50

#THE_MIRACLE_I_NEED

EPISODE 50

“Wake up! You’re getting married today!” Prisca exclaimed excitedly as she walked into Kimberly’s room and turned on the light. It wasn’t even six in the morning yet, but she had woken up very early to move her things into the boys quarter ap@rtment as she had promised Eric she would do.

Kimberly who had been lying sprawled n-ked on her be-d sat bolt upright on her be-d at the thought of that and looked at Prisca in horror, “Oh my God! Prisca! It’s really today? What am I going to do?” Kimberly asked as she stood up from the be-d with a worried frown and started pacing around her room, not minding that she was n-ked. She was beginning to feel very uneasy at the thought of it.

“Don’t tell me you’re beginning to have fake wedding jitters. Come on, it’s not even a real marriage, so there’s nothing to worry about. It’s not a till death do you p@rt deal.” Prisca rushed to @ssure her, but Kimberly looked at her unconvinced.

“I’m not so sure. Eric said we should behave like real couples in the one year. According to him he wants to show me what marriage really looks like since I told him I don’t intend on getting married.” Kimberly said ma-king Prisca narrow her eyes.

“He said that?” Was it possible Eric really liked Kimberly? Prisca wondered.

“Yeah. Prisca, do you genuinely think I can do this? Eric seems to believe so much in me, and wants to help. Did I tell you he even promised to get me a good thera-pist? What if I disappoint him? It’s one thing to disappoint you and my father, but Eric…” Kimberly complained with a frown as she st©pped to look at Prisca who was watching her in amusement, “What?”

“You seem very concerned about what he thinks of you. To think I’ve been asking you to see a thera-pist for the past couple of years now yet you refused, but a guy you met ba-rely four days ago asked you to, and you’re willing to give it a try. Are you sure you’re not alre-ady falling for him?” Prisca asked, ma-king Kimberly to roll her eyes.

“What do you take me for? Just four days and you think I’m falling alre-ady?” Kimberly asked with a scoff, even though a p@rt of her knew Prisca was probably right.

“I take you for a young lady who knows a good man when she sees one, and so is probably worried about losing him. Kim, I want you to be happy, so don’t worry too much. I’m sure Eric would make a very un-derstanding p@rtner.” Prisca @ssured her.

“What about work? Today is still Thursday, we have to go to work.” Kimberly said trying to distract herself.

“Don’t worry, there isn’t much to be done today. I moved most of your important appointments to next two week, and @ssigned someone else to handle the urgent ones. I figured you’d be busy bonding with Eric this period, and next week is supposed to be your honeymoon, remember?” Prisca said with a wi-nk ma-king Kimberly look at her as though she had just remembered there was something called honeymoon.

“It’s a fake marriage, there shouldn’t be an honeymoon.”

“Says who? Besides, didn’t you just say he said he wants the one year to be a real marriage experience for you? Don’t just worry, I got you both, okay?” Prisca said as she opened Kimberly’s closet.

“Hm, I think you will need to get something new for your wedding.” Prisca suggested.

“What will I do without you Prisca?” Kimberly asked as she walked over to where Prisca was, and embr@ced her.

“You know this feels weird, right? You can’t be hvgging me while you’re n-ked. Do you want to turn me on?” She asked dryly ma-king Kimberly giggle as she pu-ll-ed away.

“But seriously, thanks. You’ve been such a good friend and sister to me while I’ve been nothing but awful…”

“That’s not true. Yeah I’ll admit that at some point it was difficult being around you… you know when. But you’re pretty amazing yourself regardless of your flaws which I know aren’t entirely intentional or your fault. And don’t forget that you’re my best friend, so I have to have your back.” Prisca said before giving her a smile, “So what gift would you like for your wedding?”

“Hm, anything would do, even though I don’t think it’s necessary.” Kimberly said dismissively.

“It is more than necessary. It’s not everyday my best friend gets married. And since you might not do this again after Eric, I should get you something.” Prisca said thoughtfully.

“That reminds me… I should get rings, right? I’m yet to get a ring for us.” Kimberly said looking alarmed.

“Calm down Kim. It’s not running, you could always get the rings later.” Prisca said when she noticed how disorg-nized Kimberly seemed, “What will you have for breakfast? I should get it re-ady and leave for work. Let me know when you’re both re-ady to leave for the court and I’ll join you there.”

“One more thing, all the details required for the court marriage, you have them, right? I browsed on line and you need quite a lot. Also it should take three weeks, so how are you going to get around that?” Prisca asked curiously.

“Eric said he will take care of that. He has some sort of connection there, so he believes it would be done quic-kly.” Kimberly @ssured her.

“Okay then, when you’re both re-ady to leave for the court let me know so I’ll meet up with you.” Prisca said before leaving the room.

Kimberly walked out of the room and walked into the be-droom she had prepared for Eric, ma-king sure everything was in place for him. She noticed the room was alre-ady having his scent.

She lowered herself on the be-d and cuddled one of the pillows as she tried to imagine what the coming months would look like for her and Eric.

Now that she was alone, she could admit to herself that even though she was kind of scared of what the one year had in store for herself and Eric, she was actually looking forward to sharing the experience with him. She smiled when she remembered what he had said about wanting to make her happy for one year. She had no doubt that he was going to make her really happy, but the question was, could she make him happy?
********

“Are you okay?” Pete asked when he walked into the kitchen that morning, but Kathleen seemed not to notice his pres£nce as she was too lost in her thought.

“Kathleen?” He called, ma-king her almost jump out of skin when she noticed he was looking at her.

“Huh? Good morning sir! When did you come… Did you say something?” She asked, looking very flvstered, especially when she remembered her dream had taken place right here in this kitchen.

Throu-gh out the morning devotion earlier Kathleen had kept thinking about the dream Isioma had woken her up from. The previous day she had dreamt of something similar, but that one had been more intense and £r0ticsince they had done more than just k!ssing. He had used his mouth and f!ngerson her, and she had even woken up m0@n ing with her undies very w€t.

Perhaps she should go for deliverance? She remembered hearing somewhere that having S-x in the dream was a true indication that one had a spirit husband, so maybe her mother had been right after all. She had prayed about it and had even casted out every spirit of incubus and succubus in her, yet she couldn’t help feeling curious about those things she had felt in her dream.

She was a Christian and had been keeping herself this wh0le time for her husband, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to not think about S-x these days. Last night after that their awkward moment, she had imagined what being k!$$£d by Pete would feel like, and that was crazy since she still didn’t even know if she liked him enough for all of that.

Her prayer life was beginning to dwindle now since the last thought on her mind these days was usually Pete, and he was also the first thing on her mind when she wakes up.

Pete said nothing when he noticed she had zoned out again, but instead, he went over to the refrigerator to take a bottle of water which he gulped down before turning on his coffee maker.

He recalled his conversation with Chidi the previous night. After Kathleen left he had returned to the living room to see if he could find anything interesting to watch on television to distract himself, and then Chidi had returned with his phone as promised.

“She has left?” Chidi had asked when he didn’t see Kathleen around.

“Obviously.” Pete had muttered in annoyance.

“Kai! That girl fine sha. b©dy just set like firewood wey dey catch fire (She is smoking h0t).” Chidi had said ma-king Pete raise a brow.

“How do you come up with these stupid lines?” He had asked incredulously ma-king Chidi chuckle.

“Stupid? You’re lucky you don’t have a girlfriend. If I use my lines on her twice, only two times o, your girlfriend will be sleeping in my be-d, right un-der your roof.” Chidi had @ssured him confidently.

“Now I see why your boss fired you.” Pete had muttered un-der his breath.

“Nuh be my fault say God put sugar for my mouth as he s£nd me come life (It’s not my fault that God blessed me with the ability to sweet talk ladies). Omoooor! (Mehn!) My ton-gue sweet die, nuh be joke! I get lines full mouth mehn!” Chidi had br@gged.

“Yeah, na the lines make you nuh get job again (You’re jobless because of your ability to sweet talk women). And na those lines make you dey squat here (And that’s why you’re squatting in my house).” Pete had said ma-king Chidi chuckle again.

“Haters gonna hate mehn. You are just jealous las las sha. Better tell her you like her instead of all this unnecessary hate you’re giving me.” Chidi had said ma-king Pete raise a brow.

“And who said I like her?”

“You think I don’t notice how you squee-ze your face anytime she is smiling at me? See this ekpa! I think she likes you too anyway, so just go for it. Besides she’s a good girl.” Chidi had suggested.

“Why would you think she likes me?” Pete had asked sounding curious now.

“You think she c@m£ here dressed that way because of me? It’s for you of course.” Chidi had said in a tone that said he felt Pete was too dense.

“You think so? Anyway I think her mother probably put her up to it.” Pete had said trying to shake off the image of Kathleen in the bu-m short and crop t©p.

“Come on man! Do you think her mother f0rç£d the clothes on her? Yeah, maybe the mother suggested it, but she agreed to it. right?”

Looking at her now, Pete couldn’t help but wonder if her behavior had anything to do with the previous night, “Is something wrong?” Pete asked after a while.

“Hm? Not at all. I’m almost done with Amanda’s breakfast and lunch.” She said for lack of something better to say as she turned her back to him and took out Amanda’s lunch pack.

“About last night… I’m sorry.” Pete said, ma-king Kathleen pause as she turned to look at him.

“What are you sorry for?” Kathleen asked in confusion, since she couldn’t remember what he had done that warranted an apology.

Pete frowned. That was a good question, what exactly was he sorry for? For letting his b©dy react the way it had done to her dressing, or for allowing the thought of k!ss!ngher cross his mind? “For prying too much in your personal affairs, and also for walking away abruptly without responding to your question.” Pete decided to settle for that as he picked up a cup to pour himself coffee.

“Oh! Okay. No problem.” Kathleen said with a nod, while Pete leaned on one of the kitchen counters with his cup of coffee in hand as he watched her.

“So, about your request, are you up for a bit of exercise this morning? Although it’s kinda late now, but we could jog for a while before getting re-ady for work. I suppose you want the exercise to keep fit and not necessarily to burn fat?” Pete asked giving her a once over.

Kathleen was thankfully wearing a polo shi-t and a three-quarter jeans, and was well covered. She had turned down her mother’s suggestion that she wear something h0t again this morning.

She really didn’t like exercises, especially whatever had to do with jogging or running. She had no idea why she had allowed her mother put her throu-gh such a ridiculous task, “Yeah, just to keep fit.” She said in agreement.

“Okay, you should go change into something you could jog in, while I warm up.” Pete suggested he drank the last drop of coffee on his cup and quic-kly rinsed it.

“I’ll meet you in front of the house once I’m re-ady.” Kathleen said with a nod as she quic-kly wra-pped up what she was doing and left the kitchen.

Pete watched her as she left and couldn’t help wondering what was going on in her head. She had acted in a similar manner the previous morning too, what was it about?

Some minutes later Kathleen joined Pete in front of the house wearing her leggings and a tank t©p, but instead of good jogging shoes she was wearing just her sli-ppers, “Sorry, I realized I don’t have trainers yet. I’ll just get one during lunch break.” She said apologetically while trying not to stare at his alre-ady sweaty b©dy or his abs. Why in God’s name wasn’t he putting on a shi-t? Show off?

“Hm, I could just go alone today, and then you can join me tomorrow after you get the shoes.” Pete said as he looked her over. If there was one thing he was becoming quite aware of over the past couple of days, it was how h0t Kathleen’s b©dy was.

“Okay. I’ll just go get re-ady for work now, while you do your thing.” Kathleen said with a smile, grateful she didn’t have the right shoes for the exercise.

“One more thing,” Pete called before she could return to her ap@rtment, ma-king her look at him curiously.

“Yeah?”

“About your driving cl@sses, I was thinking, maybe to save us time I could teach you how to drive on weekends, what do you think?” Pete asked ma-king her brows pu-ll together.

“Teach me to drive?”

“Yeah. I’m a pretty good teacher.” He @ssured her, even though the real reason he had made the offer was that he feared her friend with the car would offer to do that if he found out she wanted to learn how to drive. He knew how guys could be, and for some reason, he just didn’t want another guy to teach her how to drive.

“I can’t pay you….”

“I’m not asking you to pay me. It would just make your learning fas-ter, that way you can have time for Amanda.” Pete said reasonably.

“Oh! Okay then, thanks.” Kathleen said with a shrug, grateful he had saved her the money she would have spent paying a teacher.

“Go in then.” Pete said, c0cking his head in the direction of her ap@rtment when she just stood there staring at him.

“Yeah. Sure.” She said as she turned around and quic-kly walked away.
********

Immediately Eric woke up from sleep, he took his time to say a long prayer for himself and then for Kimberly. He knew that the step he was about to take was one which he might either regret in a year from now, or be very grateful for.

After his prayers he dialed Chuka’s number, and after several rings Chuka finally woke up from sleep and took the call, “Hey! Why you wake me nau?” Chuka complained.

“I don’t blame you at all. @ssuming you sle-pt in this your godforsaken house, I would have seen how you would have sle-pt comfortably till past seven in the morning. All the mosquitoes in your area would have kept you awake so you join them in their vigil.” Eric said as Chuka yawned.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve dashed you the house, so enjoy the vigil with them on my behalf.” Chuka said as he sat up on the be-d and stretched out.

“I need you to deliver one of my navy blue suits to the house. Package it and s£nd it over, make sure to pay the delivery person.” Eric said ma-king Chuka raise a brow.

“Is it today?”

“Yes.”

“And I’m not invited?”

“Yes. You might come in handy later, and I don’t want her to meet you now. So there’s no need for you to come over.”

“Okay. You’re sure this is right? What about your parents? What would they say when they find out about this?” Chuka asked curiously.

“I alre-ady talked to my mother about it, and they trust me. So it’s fine.” Eric @ssured Chuka.

“Like your parents agreed? Nigerian parents? Ah!”

“I would have gone ahead with the arrangement even if they disagreed. I’m an adult and don’t really need their permission. Now enough with the talk, I need to get re-ady.”

“Wait! I’m curious about something. Are you going to sleep with her?” Chuka asked ma-king Eric scowl.

“I don’t see how it concerns you.” Eric said before disconnecting the call.

He knew without doubt that he had a lot of work to do to make sure the thing with Kimberly worked. What Kimberly didn’t know yet was that even though she thought this was just a fake marriage, it wasn’t to him. He had made up his mind to marry her for real after the phone call with his mother last night, and as long as he had her father’s cons£nt and blessing, he was going to do the court marriage first, and then pay her bride price after the bet with his father was over. So now he had to make sure to make her fall in love with him for real within that one year, and also help her change. He knew what he was doing was very risky, but he was willing to step all out on this one with Faith.

For the time being he was just going to allow Kimberly and even his family believe it was all fake, but the do¢vments they were going to be signing were going to be real. Having come to that conclusion, Eric dialed Kimberly’s line.

Kimberly who was having breakfast with Prisca picked up her phone when it started ringing, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the call was from Eric. Was he going to say he was no longer interested?

“Hey! Good morning.” She greeted trying to sound nonchalant.

“Good morning pretty, hope you sle-pt really well?”

“Sure. Did you?” She asked as she stood up from the dining, ma-king Prisca give her a questioning look.

“Yeah. I actually dreamt of you.” Eric said ma-king Kimberly’sl-ips curve in a smile.

“For real?”

“Yup.”

“And what was I doing in your dream?” Kimberly asked curiously.

“Well, you were chasing me with cutl@ss.” Eric said ma-king Kimberly giggle.

“You’re not serious.”

“Yeah, I’m not. Just wanted to hear you laugh before I get out of be-d.”

Kimberly raised a hand to her che-st when her heart skipped a beat. She want sure her heart had skipped this much beats for anyone before Eric, only God was going to save her by the time all this was over.

“How do you feel? Are you re-ady?” Eric asked, bringing her back to the pres£nt.

“I guess so. Are you?”

“I think so. Make sure you wear something pretty… And Kim?”

“Hm?”

“plea-se do not wear makeup if you’re going to cry today.” He said, and disconnected the call the moment he heard her giggle. He stood up and went about his daily activities.
********

“Seriously? See the way you’re shining all your teeth. You’re falling for him!” Prisca said when she walked into the room to check on Kimberly to see if things were okay with Eric, and saw her lying on the be-d with a grin on her face.

“St©p saying that.” Kimberly said, feeling embarr@ssed as she sat up.

“But it’s the truth, and I think it’s good.”

“Good? What happens when one year is up and it’s time to end the deal?” Kimberly asked with a slightly raised brow, trying not to show how worried she was by the thought that she might actually really get attached to him and not want him to leave when it was all over.

“It doesn’t have to end, you know?” Prisca asked ma-king her scoff.

“As if that’s within my power. Why would someone like him want to stick with someone like me after the deal?” Kimberly asked dryly.

“Because he just might end up feeling the same way about you. Be optimistic jor, and stay positive.” Prisca said trying to boost her morale.

“Let’s just stick to the plan as it is. One year is the goal. Who knows? I might be so bored that I might want things to end between us before the one year comes to an end.” Kimberly said hopefully..

“I don’t see that happening. But let’s keep our f!ngerscrossed. By the way, I’ve moved my stuff to the boys quarter alre-ady. And I’m re-ady to leave for the office.” Prisca said as she turned around to leave.

The fact that Kimberly was more worried about Eric leaving after the deal, told her that Kimberly was alre-ady halfway in love with Eric, and she didn’t need anyone to tell her that Eric genuinely liked Kimberly too. Maybe this wh0le arrangement wasn’t so bad after all.

WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 51