After visiting my mother at the hospital, I went directly to my office because my secretary had called me earlier that morning that the CEO, Dr Oyedeji wanted to see me in his office as soon as I arrived Nigeria. I was happy that the CEO wanted to see me thinking my promotion letter was ready. It's been almost a year since I started working at Experience Vision Creations and I must say that it's very hard to fit in or stand out.

EVC is a very big company with many branches all over the thirty six states in Nigeria with the headquarters in Lagos State. When I reached the office, the CEO was already on seat and there was this look on his face which made me more curious.

I was left alone with the CEO in his office, shocked because of the slaps I received from him. My jaw clenched in anger as I held my cheecks tight.

"Look at me young man, I don't want you to have anything to do with my daughter anymore. She already have a fiancee she's getting married to." He slapped me again "if by chance I see you two together, I'll kill you. I'll do anything to get rid of you." Dr Oyedeji threatened as he collapsed back to his seat.
"Now, I want you to go back to France and finish the seminar you went for. When you get back, I'll think of what to do with you."  He yelled furiously at me.

That same week, I travelled back to France. Ayokanmi and I had met a couple of times and I deposited some amount of money for the treatment of my mother.

    ★ Back In France ★

Faridah sat in the waiting section alongside with Mr Raphael waiting for me, with her eyes cast to the arrival section when my hand touches her face gently. She leapt for joy and hugged me with my fingers on her cheeks. I turned her head so she can see that it was truly me and I could see love in her eyes too. Only love, her face buckles and tears rolled unchecked, washing a part to her chin. That moment, I held her in an embrace I never wanted to end, the type of embrace that tells her we will be together forever.
I lost my lover once, and I am not ready to lose her again. Not anymore.

"Bienvenue en France." Mr Raphael smiled as he shook my hands warmly.

"Je vous remercie" i replied and patted his back.

"I really miss you babyy" Faridah said childishly and rested her head on my chest.

"I miss you more sugarplum.... Mom sent her regards too." I said as I opened the door for her to get in.

"Awww..... That's cute.... How's she feeling now?"

"She's feeling quite better. All thanks to God and the doctor." I said as Mr Raphael drove us to our lodge.
"Faridah, we really need to talk" I said as I placed her hands on my thighs", "about something bothering me." I added before she could say a word.

We promised each other to hangout the next day immediately after the seminar. We chose the park as our place.
             ★

The following day, we sat, walked and talked with each other until we got bored of the place. We decided to go to 'Lac de créteil' where I proposed to her as it was just twenty minutes drive from the park.

"Faridah, you didn't tell me your Dad got a man for you already?"  I said.

"His name is Jason and he is the Executive Secretary of EVC in Nigeria. He is Mr Pedro's son. My father and Mr Pedro are business partners and they've agreed to get us married. Timmy, the truth is I don't love Jason and I don't have any feelings for him whatsoever. I love someone else but my father doesn't want to understand. He's only after his own selfish interest and doesn't care about my own happiness." Faridah said as she lets out a cry.

"Huh!?.... So who's that person you love?" I asked quite confused.

"You Timmy, you! You are the one I love. I knew you were the one meant for me since the very first time I set my eyes on you. I have lots of suitors but I don't love them. Popular artiste, Adedamola Adefolahan, Fireboy DML is my ex boyfriend. Infact, I was the one he sang Vibration for." She sniffed.

"So you actually broke up with Fireboy?" I asked really surprised.

"Yeah, I did. And that's because I don't love him. I don't see our relationship heading anywhere. But we are still very good friends.... We still hangout together and he visits me too"

"Wow. Interesting!" I said as my jaw dropped opened, unable to close it back.

"You never for once mentioned it to me that you and Fireboy had a thing together." I said

"At least, I told you I love you and you're all that mattered to me" Faridah said and gave me a tight hug.

"So what do you suggest we do about your Dad?"

"Uhm.... I'll have to talk to him, a heart to heart discussion."

Faridah and I talked for what seemed to be a long time and we didn't want the day to end but time wasn't on our side.