Chapter dedicated to: @chisom165 @Oladapoaishah @Teemonera @Rihanna_Adedeji @Truewriter2020 @chisom_dili
Enjoy...

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THREE YEARS LATER.

*Alex*

I slowly opened the file on the Big fish hotel and resorts group, which I expected to be the latest addition to my hotel empire, and suffered an unanticipated shock.

Ironically, it took a great deal to shock me, at almost 32 years of age, I had seen a great deal of bad behavior, especially when it came to women.
What actually caused me to vault upright behind my desk and carry the file over to the window of my office to avail more light, was a glimpse of the startlingly familiar face in a photograph of the big fish hotel executive staff... A face I would never forget.

Sola Ojo. I stared hard at the angelic face of the lady who had almost ruined and bewitched me, with her innocent looking eyes, and her voluptuous figure, which was highlighted in the most provocative manner in the photograph.
Sola occupied a whole category of her own in my memories because she had been the only woman to ever betray me and even though, about three years have passed since our separation, the recollection was still a pain in my head.

She was standing very close to the old man who was the ceo and the owner of the hotel, Mr Jimmy Agoro.
I studied every single detail about her in the picture, I noticed her dark mahogany hair now looked longer and straighter like that of a white woman. She was wearing a tight pinstripe suit, the tight skirt showing off her smooth creamy laps and hugging her hips seductively. I could feel my groin harden in response and I groaned, almost squeezing the file in my hands as I stared out from my window, into the cold streets of London.

I'd temporarily relocated to my office here in London, two years ago. Mostly because the business matters here needed my undivided attention and partly because I needed to be far away from the one woman I couldn't get out of my mind.

Unable to stop my self, I raised the file and stared at the woman who was constantly the object of my thoughts, my dreams and wildest imaginations.
That fast, I was remembering sola's lithe form clad in silk and satin. Even better, the flashbacks of how her glorious figure rubbed against mine in the highest daze of passion was crossing clearly through my mind.

Regrettably, I had never met another Sola. I ended up having to compare every single woman I went to bed with, to Sola and found them wanting in one way or another. It was either she was too experienced compared to sola's innocence in bed, or she was too forward compared to sola's gentleness.

I reminded my self, that it was probably because of the insane attraction I had for her that led her to cheat on me by sleeping with another man in her own home. And also gave her the chance to steal from me.
I felt my face grow hot in fury as I remembered how Sola had made a fool out of me, using me to enjoy her cruise.

I scrunched up my face as I acknowledged my biggest mistake. Walking into her bedroom that night and finding her passed out in bed with that man had knocked me off. Almost broken me.
My mistake was letting Sola get a glimpse of the vulnerability in me, letting her know all my secrets.

I stared at the picture one more time in anger. She looked even more gorgeous. I laughed sardonically as I noticed the way the man was tightly holding Sola. I knew she was definitely still carrying on with her manipulative character with men, I felt a bit of pity at the poor man who was looking clearly like he worshipped the ground she walked on.

But I knew I could shift that very ground she walked so gracefully on. Because I knew what and who she was. She was a little, inexperienced thief.
I'd shockingly found out just about a week after the end of our affair about her theft. An audit had found serious discrepancies in the books of my account in the resort I had taken Sola to.
Products worth a considerable large amount of money had gone missing, invoices had been falsified and employees had been sacked.

I hadn't first expected it to be her, but when the receptionist who held the books of account had finally come to confess that she had been urged on by a certain acquittance of mine named Sola ojo, the shock I'd felt had been palpable.
Apparently, the receptionist had met Sola on the day I brought her to the place with me, and it was since then they had been planning the fraud.

I wondered why I hadn't prosecuted her for the theft she had made. I had been too proud to parade the reality that I had taken a thief to bed and even entertained the idea of having a future with her.

Sola was a box of crafty tricks and no mistake, I acknowledged bitterly. I'm sure Jimmy Agoro was equally unaware that his perfect, gentle-Mary employee was a crook and a silent seductress. Did she enjoy Jimmy Agoro the way she had enjoyed me? Did she cry out his name in bed as she reached her climax, as she always did with me?

I frowned as I tried to block out the disturbing ugly images that came up in my head. No doubt Sola was doing well for herself, since she had managed to ensnare a man like that with her sweet mouth and tantalizing figure.

As I felt the desire I had longed to feel for three long years, I clearly admitted that I had still not gotten her out of my system. I knew what I was capable of doing to Sola ojo and I smiled harshly as I imagined her shock and dismay at my untimely reappearance in her life.

Without a second thought of the consequences at hand, merely reacting to the strong wave of desire I was quickly feeling for the smiling woman in the photograph, I quickly lifted my phone and called the executive head of my acquisitions team, I informed him quickly that I would be heading back to Nigeria to take over the next phase of the negotiations with the owner of the big fish hotel and resorts group.

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*Sola*

"Well?...what do you think of it?"

I opened my mouth in shock as stared at the sleek car in front of me. It was a top-of-the-range BMW and it was parked outside the garages for me to examine.

I turned back and stared at Mr Jimmy in shock.
"It's.. It's really beautiful.. But.."

"But nothing!" Mr Jimmy brightly prompted, smiling warmly at me. "You needed a car to transport your self, now you got one!"

"Mr Jimmy.. I surely can't accept this. It's too much.."

"Nonsense! It's not too much. You do a much important work here, overseeing the resorts at the beach at Taqua Bay and the hotel here at Bode Thomas. I figured all that would be too much stress taking public transport all the time, so I decided to get you this gift as a relief, and as a way to thank you for your exceptional job over here. "

"God! Mr Jimmy! I'm so so grateful.. But this car.. It's just too much.." I thought of what the other executive employees were going to say about this. I didn't want trouble with troublesome staffs.

"well, you have no choice in the matter my dear Sola, I've already paid in full for it. The papers and license have been completely processed as well. So...?"

"I really.. Can't accept it. It's too much sir." I complained, smiling guiltily at him.

"It's not too much for the best star employee please. Let's stop all this begging and take me for a drive. Now you can put out your old damaged garbage Fiesta for rent!" Mr Jimmy urged on, pulling me with him towards the shiny black car.

I sighed and went along, feeling mortified. We entered the car and drove to the hotel offices at bode Thomas located in surulere, where I worked as the branch manager. I smiled gratefully as I thought of how this man who had quickly became a father figure to me, changed my life.

Shortly after I had started the work as a waitress three years ago, I had met this man during one of the parties that was held by the owner of the bar. He had forgotten his wallet and I had quickly ran after him before he left, to remind him of the wallet he had left behind.

He had been so grateful that he had dropped a large tip for me and requested for my number, telling me he would make sure I never regret coming across him. After some months he had urged me to take some online courses while supporting me and my unborn baby, so that I could get my HND degree. Almost a year ago, I had received my degree with pride and happiness and he had instantly employed me in his own company, handing me promotions that got me to the position I was in now.

Because of his generosity, I had enough savings and money to move out of that garbage area in ijesha, and I moved to bode Thomas, a very impressive community. Mr Jimmy had also helped me out with the agents and commissioning. He had insisted on paying for my two bedroom flat apartment, but I had blatantly refused, telling him I wanted to do it by myself.

"You would have to speed up my dear, because I have an important meeting on the island" Mr Jimmy said to me as I was driving gently on the road. I was afraid I might bash the beautiful car.

"Alright sir. We're almost at the hotel anyway."

"How's Justin by the way?"

I smiled as I thought of my son. My beautiful baby boy. "Oh he's fine sir. Ecstatic because the holidays is approaching. Justin loves playing at home with Amina, silly boy." I chuckled lightly thinking of how Justin had been jumping on my bed for the past three nights, that he wanted school to vacate.

Mr Jimmy laughed lightly. "All kids love to stay home with their loved ones where they can play roughly without a care."

I nodded my head in agreement, and we proceeded to talk about some other random things about the hotel.
When we arrived, Mr Jimmy immediately took off for the meeting he had in mind. It was late already, so I was preparing to take my leave.
I was throwing some papers in the bin when my secretary, Oluchi bursted in, excitement clearly on her face. I knew she wanted to talk about my brand new car. I sighed in anticipation.

"Sola! Oh my God! BRAND NEW BMW??!!" she all but screamed. I chuckled lightly at her behavior.

"Will you please keep your lousy voice down? You don't have to scream the whole building down yunno" I replied in a stern voice.

"Okay, okay... Sorry. But I'm just so excited!!! Mr Jimmy has never done this for anybody! Sola you're so lucky!"

I smiled at her but didn't give any reply. I was still thinking of how to dodge some curious staffs because I didn't have time to answer jealous questioners.

"But seriously Sola, you have to watch it o, Mr Jimmy is very fond of you."

I glanced at her. "Yes, I know. But he only sees me as his precious daughter."

"that's what I used to think.. But now, I'm not so sure. I think the man might be in love with you Sola."

I glared at her, hoping silently that she was horribly wrong. I didn't want Mr Jimmy having any feelings like that towards me, it would make everything awkward.

"You're wrong my dear. See you tomorrow, oluchi. I have to go now. Make sure you sort out all the paperwork I gave you." I said to her as I grabbed my bags and walked out of the building, leaving oluchi behind while she laughed at me.

After about 15 minutes, I got home. It didn't take long because my place was close to the hotel I worked so it was just a matter of traffic.
I opened the glass door and found my son and Amina sprawled out on my favorite sofa, watching nickelodeon.
Immediately Justin noticed me, he jumped up from the chair, rushing to hug me the way he always did every evening.

"Mummyyyyy!!!" His little baby voice screeched.
I grabbed him and lifted him as he put both his two little arms around my neck hugging me tightly. I breathed in his glorious baby scent with a wild smile. I loved this boy so much.

Two years and some months old, my son was a very energetic, playful kid.
"Hello my prince, did you miss mummy?" I asked, kissing his cheeks multiple times.

"Yes! Miss mummy!" he said, giggling so adorably.

"That's good. Look, I got you cold stone ice cream and some juicy hamburger!" I said, my voice hitching on the high tone I always used with him when I wanted to make him happy.

"Yayyy!! Thanks mummy!" he said, kissing my face with his small lips.

"Madam sweet mother, abeg if you're through, give me my own burger and ice cream." I heard Amina say as she sat up, watching our display of affection.

I laughed at her and dropped Justin to the ground. "Please leave my baby boy for me Amina. Stop hating!"

She laughed also and came to hug me. She was smelling of fresh soap, indicating that she had just showered.
Immediately things had begun to get better, Amina had moved in with me after I had strongly advised her to stop her prostitution. She had gotten a work as a primary school teacher and her life had really changed for the good.

I was always grateful to her, because she had helped me during my dark times. She had helped me greatly when it was time to give birth to Justin and also in taking care of him.

"How was work?" I asked her.

"Fine jare, this exam period has really stressed me. I can't wait for the vacation. Did you see Justin's haircut?"

I turned to where my son was standing, trying to open the box of ice cream. I smiled warmly as I looked at his beautiful face.
Justin was such a beautiful child. He was a bit tall for his age and he was so fair, with smooth creamy skin like his.. Father. When I gave birth to him I'd been shocked when I saw that he was almost as fair as a baby albino. But now, the complexion was mild. Making him such a fine kid.

The haircut reminded me of his father. Justin had super soft coils on top of his head, the sides were cut shorter than the middle, making him look so much like his dad. I smiled sadly as I remembered his father.

"He really looks a lot like his father, you know?" Amina whispered to me as if she knew my thoughts. She knew Alex because I had told her all about him and I had showed her his pictures. She'd demanded why I'd hidden Justin from him and not asked for support for the child.
But I had told her I didn't tell him because of our nasty separation.

"I know." I replied.

"Sola, when are you going to tell him about his father? Justin is a sharp kid. And he keeps talking about his friend's dad in school. He's going to start asking questions." Amina said, looking at me with concern.

I sighed and turned away, avoiding the question as I always did.
"Look, Amina. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Right now though, I have a surprise to show you! Bring Justin along!"

I said as I led them outside. I covered my ears immediately I heard Amina's scream as she and Justin went to inspect the car, jumping for joy. I laughed at their excitement and happiness that was so contagious. That night we celebrated by licking more than ten bowls of ice cream and pizza while we watched one of our favorite TV series.

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Picture of little Justin.

Picture of Amina.

End of chapter 14 guys! I hope y'all enjoyed it!!
Who can't also wait for them to meet again???
Thank you for reading. Please drop your votes and comments. I really really need them, don't just read and pass by. Thanks guys.
Next chapter coming very soon.
Love ×Tori ×.