Long stressful hours........But a life was saved today. I love my profession.

I was done with the surgery. A graceful smile was on my face as I walked out of the theatre. A figure came to my front and my eyes swept to Stephen's.

"Well done," he said.

"Thank you, Doctor Stephen" I replied.

"I can give you a ride if you wish," he added.

"No, thank you"

"It's eleven in the night. I can't let you walk alone," he replied firmly.

"I am not going to walk alone. I'm fine. Good night sir," I responded and strutted away.

The free ride was quite tempting. But....why will I want to sit with Stephen....alone in his car? No way.

I got my belongings from the locker room and changed to my normal outfit– blue jean and a peach long sleeve top. My light gold braids fell on my shoulders and I yawned as I left the room. I got to the entrance door and I slammed into someone. My head hit the individual's jaw and I whimpered, taking three steps backwards.

"I am so sorry," a familiar voice exclaimed. I looked up into his face.

Prince's eyes widened and he embraced me. He rubbed my back and whispered, "I'm sorry!"

For a moment, I'm shocked till I understood he was apologizing for bumping into me. Sigh!

"What are you doing here?" I asked and moved out of his arms.

"I'm here to pick you," he smiled at me.

"Me? Why?"

"Because you aren't a stress to me. You are a friend and I want to show you that our friendship is important to me," he replied. I did a double take of him. He was wearing a dark blue suit and a pair of slacks of the exact color.

I can't overemphasize on how smoky hot he is on suit. It just gives him this CEO vibes. Oh wait! I think he is the CEO of his company. Hmmm....The hot keeps getting hotter.

"Do you understand?" He asked.

"Huh?"

"Lik...Do you get what I'm saying?" he asked and walked out of the doorway so some nurses could pass. I followed and stood beside him.

"I wasn't listening what did you say?"

"I might not want a relationship but I want friendship," he remarked.

"Oh...." I trailed off. I was disappointed that I couldn't change his mind. My look, personality nor awesomeness could get him to change his mind. I nodded. "Sure...You're my friend. Thanks for coming. I'm tired and I do need a ride home".

"I bought dinner. Are you interested?" He chuckled.

"Always!"

As we headed to the door, Prince suddenly turned another direction. "Doctor Okonkwo," he called out and he strode to Stephen.

My mouth dropped. He knows him? Just great! Please note my sarcasm.

"Mr Arinze," Stephen exclaimed. Their hands clapped in a handshake. "How was work today?"

"Good. Yours?"

"Fantastic!"

"Have you met..." Prince turned to me. "Her? Anita. She's the Ambitious and hardworking woman I spoke about".

I stood with a stoic expression and Prince cocked a brow at that.

"I have. You were right. She is diligent," Stephen said with a smile. The both men walked to me. Prince stood at my side while Stephen was at our front. "Is she a friend to you?"

"Yes!" Prince replied with a proud smile.

"Girlfriend," I added. "I'm not just a friend but his girlfriend".

The corner of Stephen's lip twitched and his brows drew together. "Is that true?" he quizzed.

Prince glanced at me and nodded. "Yes"

I'm glad he understood the look I gave to him.

"Oh..." Stephen's hard gaze rested on me. "Let me escort you to the parking lot. Or don't you have a car?"

I knew his intent was to insult Prince but the fool didn't know Prince had enough money to buy  five cars for himself and still buy for him.

"I do have a car. Do you? Would you like a ride? I don't mind," Prince answered politely. His calm and friendly demeanor still in place.

Wow! What an indirect way to insult. Sha...I'm sure Prince doesn't mean it that way.

"I have my own car," Stephen sneered, stressing the word 'own'.

We all walked out of the hospital and down to the parking lot. When we stopped at Prince's white car, Stephen scoffed. I don't know much about cars but with one glance at Stephen's face, I could guess Prince's car is one of the expensive kind. Stephen had a look with a mix of jealous, rage and shock."Just a car? I thought it would be a Jeep".

"I don't like to drive my Jeep. It's at home," Prince replied, his dimple revealed as he sent a warm smile to Stephen."How did you know I have a Jeep?"

"You do?" I gasped. Wow! See how Stephen just dey disgrace himself.

"Hmph!" Stephen voiced.

"Do you have a Jeep?" Prince asked. "You look like the kind of person that's a fan of cars".

Stephen rolled his eyes and Prince noticed that.

"Is there something wrong? You seem angry," he noted.

"Your name is Prince, right?" Stephen asked. His shoulders squared as he shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. A brooding look was engraved on his face.

"Yes?" Prince's reply came out as a question. His brow arched in confusion as he stared him down.

Stephen glanced at me and smirked. He took some steps closer to Prince. They were the same height so their eyes met easily. "Let me inform you that I'm madly in love with the woman you call your girlfriend. She wants to give you a chance in her life. Any mess up, I'll make her mine....forever. Game on, Prince!"

He snickered and swaggered off.

Prince stood still, digesting his words. He suck in a rush of air and his gaze fell on me. "What is he talking about?"

"Me!" I replied.

"I know that," he snapped through gritted teeth.

I just stared at him in silence. He clenched his fists and glared at Stephen's departing figure.

"You were asking me who Stephen is? Do you remember? That time when my dad was at the hospital," I expressed.

"Yes! I do remember. Is he the one?" he implored, eyes still on him.

"Yes! Thanks for complicating my life by making him work at this hospital," I let out a bitter laughter.

He turned to me and his gaze softened. "Did you have a relationship with him in the past? I hope you aren't burdened by his presence? I hope it's not affecting your work? Does his presence cause you pain or have you moved on?"

"I...umm...."

Okay! I don't understand this Prince. Why isn't he jealous?

"Are you still hurting?" he probed.

I bit my bottom lip and stared at him.

"What's wrong?"

"If I'm still hurting, what can you do?"

"Cheer you up!" He replied. "I'm sorry! If I knew he was the Stephen, I won't have allowed him to be transferred to this hospital".

"I'm fine, Prince. Thanks for caring," I said.  "Are you angry with what Stephen said to you?"

"Not really! I'm just annoyed that he feels he can intimidate me," he said with a light chuckle. "Anyways, if you wish to go back to him, tell me. We can end the contract".

"You're hopeless," I mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"I didn't say anything," I said and an awkward laughter left my glossed lips. "Let's get into the car. I'm starving and sleepy".

"Sure! I have a nice spot where you can eat. It has trees and flowers around the place"

"Thanks!" I smiled. Prince is a good friend. I should be happy with that. We got into the car and drove to a park at an estate. We weren't alone though. There were different cars and individuals relaxing there too. The security men marched around, a strict look on their face as they scanned everywhere.

Prince and I were in his car. His car was able to roll it's foldable roof away and fresh air rushed in. Prince had made my chair fall back a little and we sat, staring at the stars as we ate the sweet jollof rice and chicken he had bought.

"Do people take advantage of you?" I asked Prince out of the blue.

"Huh?" His gaze swung to me.

"Lik you have this calm and friendly behavior. Don't people take advantage of that?"

"People don't easily get to see that part of me," he replied with a shrug.

"Really?" I tilted my head to him.

"Yeah! I put on an approachable but serious look. It makes people to take every word I say seriously," he chuckled. "My childhood was kinda...strict".

I arched a brow.  "Strict?"

"Yeah! My dad was strict. As the first born and first son, my dad placed a lot of pressure on me. He wanted me to re-establish his company that collapsed. From the age of 12, I had to start thinking like a business man. Everything about life to me either brings profit or loss. I hardly played. Most of my time was spent reading and balancing accounting data. I graduated with first class in the university. I guess that's why I don't like relationship. My dad made me see it as a loss. Lose of precious time and emotions. That's why I'm... hesitant to it. My dad made me see women as a distraction to my goals. I told myself that till my company becomes international and the best in Nigeria, that's when I can start to date," he explained.

I was silent as I stared at him.

"Won't you ever get married?"

He shrugged.

"Haven't you ever heard that behind every successful man is a woman?"

He chuckled. "My grandma says that alot".

I clamped my lips and just stared.

He sighed, "I guess that's why my mom wants to force me to marry Amarachi. She's the first girl I dated and she claims to love me with all her heart. My mom feels this is my chance to get married. She said if she doesn't do that, I might remain a bachelor for the rest of my life".

"Omo!" I burst into laughter.

He pouted. I giggled, leaned and tugged on the short beard around his chin.

He winced. "Ouch!"

"Now I understand. I can't even blame your mother. She just wants the best for you. The problem is that she thinks Amarachi is the best".

"Yeah!" He rolled his eyes. "I thought dating you will make her understand that I can date any woman I want and I am not a loner. I know she was shocked to see you but I don't know what Amarachi did for my mom to love her so much".

I chuckled at that.

"My mom acts as if Amarachi is the only way to my happiness. It's annoying. And my dad who never encourages me to date, suddenly wants me to get married. It's truly crazy. My family is crazy".

"Prince," I said and looked up to see the sky.

"Yes?"

"I think it's best you move out. Rent an apartment for yourself. That's the best. Besides, people of your age always move out of their father's house"

"Hmmm...I actually built that mansion"

My jaw dropped.

"Yes!"

"Wow!" I cleared my throat. "Well....umm....Then, you can just rent an apartment. It's the only way to stop them from interfering in your personal life. They should not be the one to choose who you should marry. Marriage is sacred. It should be between two people who love each other and are willing to spend their lives together in sickness and in health, hunger and in wealth. The love should never be one-sided".

He nodded. "You're right. Maybe I'll try to get an apartment tomorrow".

"Sure!" I leaned on the chair and shut my eyes. Silence hovered in the air. I opened my eyes and gasped. Prince had his eyes on me. "What's wrong?"

"You are amazing"

I smirked, the cocky Anita coming to life. "I know. It's not easy to be this amazing. I look at myself in the mirror and be like, Anita isn't all this awesomeness heavy on you?"

Prince shook his head with a smile. "Cocky much!"

I exploded in a fit of laughter.

"Do you still have feelings for Stephen?" Prince asked at once.

I froze and thought about the question. "I did," I replied. An emotion flashed on Prince's face but he hid it.

"But do you?"

"I'm yet to find out," I answered. I fought the urge to smirk. Just what I wanted. Prince was jealous. He sneered and averted his gaze to a car a few miles away from us.

I guess Prince is so used to choosing work over women that he can't tell if he has feelings for a person. He said his dad was strict. I'm sure his dad's words had psychological effect. That explains why he is so workaholic.

Parents should be mindful of what they expose their children to and what they make them believe in. It can affect their future. If you make a child believe that money is all that matters, that's how they'll live their life. If you explain the importance of family and love, they will be loving and caring. That's what I feel though.

       ----------------------------------------

Another chapter! What do you think? Pls ensure to VOTE and leave comments.

Go to that comment icon below and tell me, what do you think of this chapter?

Do you agree that words and what you expose your children to can affect them psychological? Do you have instances to give on that?

Do you understand Prince now and what's going on around him?

Thanks for reading. 🇳🇬❤️❤️❤️♥️♥️💛💖💓💖💋

That's right,
Itz Mabel💓💓