Too Precious Episode 34
TITLE: TOO PRECIOUS
WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI
CHAPTER 34
Daily, he spoke to Precious. Their discussions were about his life, his choices, his regrets, and his business. They talked about the best ways to deal with the staff, contractors, business associates, board members and so on.
He talked about PB’s love life. He was worried she would be lonely for the rest of her life. “That omo Igbo would have been a good candidate but you said he is involved with someone else. What of Salim? You are treating him as a client and friend meanwhile he wants more than that. Consider him.”
“Chief, he is younger and his business just kicked off. Allen is getting married to Olivia soon. Allen is a good friend and father and nothing more. I have no one.”
“You say Salim is younger. The way he looks at you, if both of you are left alone in a room, he will devour you. He likes you but he is scared to make a move that might destroy your friendsh¡p. Why not give him a chance since you said omo Igbo is not available.”
“I don’t want Salim; I will appear too desperate. I want an older person. I want someone who would want to live here with me. I can’t leave this house. A very comfortable man wouldn’t agree to live here with me. It makes me want to consider someone I can brush up and clean up…….”
“Another stray? You will be making a big mistake. You and your man mustn’t live together. You could live here and he lives in his house. You can spend weekends there and he would spend some here with you. If you go for a stray, you might have to have a pre-nuptial agreement. Why go through all that?”
“I went to the dating site you talked about. I had to pay a good amount of money to register. They have matched me with some men. I am talking to three of them. I hope one of them works out. They don’t have much information about me. I want to keep up the conversation before I stick to one.”
“Great idea my dear.”
“I don’t know what to call you. I loved calling you grandfather but it sounds inappropriate that’s why I call you Chief now. Can I call you father?”
“It will give me the greatest pleasure if you decide to do so.”
“I will call you father when we are together alone. I don’t want to upset grandmother”
“I understand. Call her mother too.”
“It might freak her out”
“She will love it. She loves you very much.”
“Are you sure, father?”
“I am very sure. It will make her very happy. Take very good care of her when I am gone. Please!”
“I will.”
The weeks that followed saw Chief Adeoye becoming weaker. He developed a cough that refused to go. Later, he was diagnosed with pneumonia. The treatment didn’t seem to be working as he was getting worse by the day. He was in pain.
Titilayo decided to bring him back home and tend to him herself. She made him very comfortable in the house. Precious didn’t work for the weeks her father was very ill. She stayed by his side. Her uncles also visited as often as they could. The doctors had told them there wasn’t much they could do but to keep him comfortable.
On the 31st of December, just before midnight, Chief Rotimi Adeoye passed on in the loving arms of his wife and surrounded by his two sons and daughter, Precious.
Chief Adeoye had become unconscious a few days before his death. Titi refused to go back to the hospital. She told them it was what Chief wanted and they all respected his wishes.
Close to 10 pm, his breathing pattern changed. He was struggling to breathe even with oxygen. That was when PB called her uncles to let them know the time was near. They arrived in good time before he passed on.
No one cried. The nurses gave the family some time with the body before they prepared it for the morgue. An ambulance came to pick the body and uncle Ope was mandated to go with the body to the mortuary and deposit it.
Then, the rest of the family had to be informed. It was the New Year and the house was filled with different people who came to commiserate with the family on the death of Chief. They didn’t meet a grieving family. Even though hurt, they were glad Chief had gone to rest. The last few months weren’t easy on him.
As instructed, Chief wanted to be buried almost immediately. Arrangement for the burial was in full gear. Responsibilities were shared and everyone carried out their part without rancour. The transition of his body to glory worked out just the way Chief wanted. It was a beautiful affair that attracted who is who in the country, Chief’s friends and business associates, family members, beneficiaries of Chief’s philanthropy, friends and families of his children and grandchildren. It was a big celebration of life. A worthy life well spent.
After the burial, PB was officially made the Chairman/CEO of the group of companies. There was so much work to be done of which she knew she needed assistance. She employed a Managing Director and the business went into full swing. Precious reported at the office but the Managing Director did most of the job. She had time to run her law firm and also enjoy being a mother.
When she had settled down in her new role, she decided to give the dating site a chance. She wanted to be with a Nigerian, someone who shared a lot in common with her. She went back to the three people she had developed a chatting relationsh¡p with. She picked up from where it stopped.
One of them wanted to meet with her physically. He worked in Abuja and wanted to see her when he was in town the following week. He asked that they meet at his hotel. She declined. She suggested lunch at any restaurant he desired. It was best their first meeting was in a public place.
The man wasn’t happy with her. He asked if this was the first time she was hanging out with a man. “Aren’t you in Nigeria? I can send you my details and if you agree, we could have a video call now so you can be comfortable with me. You are a big girl.”
PB insisted on meeting in public for their first meeting. It was the right thing to do.
“If you are not willing to meet with me at my hotel, it is best we call this off”
“That’s fine by me.” Immediately he blocked her profile.
It was not funny. PB wondered if there was something wrong with her or was she too rigid? Why would she knowingly visit a stranger in his hotel room? Someone she met online and didn’t have his details. She didn’t want to appear desperate and wanted to maintain her moral values; it backfired.
She shared this experience with Allen. He had a good laugh. He explained to her what the man wanted. “You are so naïve, Precious. The guy wanted a hookup. He wanted a playmate while in Lagos. He used the wrong site or he wanted premium service. He should have gone on Badoo. He would have found a girl close to him for the service”
“Is that what you do? Olivia should put you in check.”
“Olivia? We hærdly see each other these days. She doesn’t want me to date anyone else while withholding the ‘cookie’. I don’t have a problem with that; I get a girl close by who will satisfy my cravings and leaves. No strings attached. I’m satisfied, Olivia is happy and the girl gets paid. This is the only way I can keep my sanity. It is not often, don’t look at me like that. Once or twice a month”
“You are no different from your father. You haven’t married Olivia and you are already cheating. For how long will you do this? Why not tell Olivia you can’t cope with the no s€× agreement? Talk to your wife-to-be. If you can’t tell her something as sensitive as this, why then do you want to get married?”
“You don’t know Olivia. She said she doesn’t want to get pregnant before marriage and she doesn’t enjoy s€× with protection.”
“There are other ways to prevent pregnancy. Talk to her. She shouldn’t starve you now and expose you to this terrible hookup site and then complain later you have been unfaithful. What of Adaeze? Has she accepted your decision to remarry?”
“According to her, she desired to have all her children with one man. She was devastated when she heard I had a son with you. She still wants to have another child with me but I’m done. Two children are enough for me.”
“What of Olivia? Is she aware you don’t want more kids?”
“She doesn’t want to have children. She has told me she is fine taking care of my two children on a part-time basis. The possibility of her getting pregnant after marriage is high, I have asked her to tie her tubes or do something so she doesn’t get pregnant.”
“Something isn’t adding up. She doesn’t want children, she doesn’t want to get pregnant and she doesn’t want to use protection; what does she want?”
“I am as confused as you are. She doesn’t stress me therefore she is the best partner for me. She makes no demand of my time and attention she only requires you to check on her at least twice daily and answer her messages. She also trusts me not to misbehave and embarrass her.”
“I find this absurd. She wanted you, now she has you, she releases you to do as you wish as long as you don’t embarrass her. Well, she is lucky no girl has come for you. If one of those girls that are desperate to settle down should have access to you, she would be doing serious prayers.”
“Allow her. I don’t want a clingy wife or fiancé. She is also working hærd to take her brand international. This consumes her time and attention.”
PB knew in her heart their union wouldn’t last. Allen was making a big mistake. “And you are ok with that? Allen, she fought to have you and when she conquered she has lost interest. Right now, she sees you as a man she can use whenever the need arises. She is not cheating but she isn’t craving you. Adaeze wants you. If possible, Adaeze will tear the clothes off your back and have you. That’s how hungry lovers should be for each other. This cool demeanour isn’t doing it for me. Think about it before you make a mistake.”
“Olivia told me something the other day. She said you are the only person who can destroy our relationsh¡p. I think she’s right. You made a wh0le lot of sense. She isn’t spontaneous and crazy anymore. She doesn’t appreciate some of my craziness just to spice up our relationsh¡p. Dupe was it! I miss her. She doesn’t want to talk to me again and I don’t know why.”
“That’s true, what happened with Dupe?”
“We ran into each other in Abuja. She was with one top shot. I said hello to her and talked to them briefly before I left. I wasn’t upset because we weren’t exclusive. She called me that night. She asked why I didn’t just walk away. She said I embarrassed her date and he knew there was something between us. Then she said I should avoid her. She blocked me everywhere I could have reached her. I let her be.”
“If Dupe hadn’t given you the boot, would Olivia still be on the marriage table?”
“I don’t know; I’m not sure.”
“I thought you loved Olivia. She is a nice lady. You can go ahead with her but know that you will be unfaithful to her and it will put a strain on your marriage. I think you should be with someone you love so you can be committed. At least both of you should be compatible in every way.”
“I’m going with Olivia; I am my father’s son.”
“Well done,” PB replied him jokingly.
Tbc