Chapter Three

'All great changes are preceded by chaos,  does love really spring forth from trouble? The answer was yet to be known"

************

"So what the hell is happening Denola?" Amanda asked him right after they ordered breakfast at the restaurant.

Denola cleared his throat, he never imagined telling Amanda this story but he supposed he had to now that he'd dragged her into the matter.

"I'm sorry I kissed you Amanda.  I don't know how to explain this to you, Teniola is my ex.  Teni and I broke up a month ago and I've been trying to get over her.  Today she caught me unexpected by coming into the office, my secretary let her in because everyone at the office is oblivious to our break up. I was trying to get rid of her when my secretary called to let me know you were coming in. I ran out of options and just used you to get rid of her.  I  wanted to make her jealous" Denola said.

"So that's why. Still...what you did was inappropriate, but I'm willing to forget about it.  I know what it's like to handle  a crazy ex and I would do whatever just to get rid of them" Amanda said.

After realizing what she'd just said, she clamped her mouth shut in regret.  She hated talking about her past, she hated opening up.

"You also have a crazy ex?" Denola asked looking at her intently. "Had, we...I left him.  Finally gathered up courage to get out of the relationship. What's your story?" Amanda asked closing up her chapter immediately.

Denola fiddled with the salt and pepper shakers on the table. "Teniola is not crazy, she's just intense. She betrayed me, I confided in her and she used it against me.  I love her but I don't think I can forgive her for what she's done" Denola said.

"And even if you forgive her,  you don't have it in you to forget what she did. That's the hard part" Amanda murmured.

"Yeah, you get me" Denola said.

Amanda nodded "I don't think it worked though" Amanda said. Denola looked up at her confused. "What are you talking about?" Denola asked.

"I meant the kiss,  she didn't buy it" Amanda said.

Denola nodded "She doesn't think you're going to be permanent in my life. I've only had  eyes on Teniola all my life, no other woman" Denola said.

Amanda nodded sympathetically before opening her bag.  "We should probably talk about work now,  I've brought a few designs you could look at" Amanda said taking her tablet out of her bag.

Denola agreed and rolled up his sleeves. "My team and I can begin work by tomorrow if you decide on the design you'd like today" Amanda continued.

Denola smiled a little, he loved his house the way it was.  The only thing missing was company, he hated to admit it but he was lonely. Setting down the tablet, he focused on Amanda.

"I honestly don't know what I want Amanda, I trust you know what you're doing and you'd be able to make the right choices for me.  I just want my apartment to feel like a home, can you do that?" Denola asked.

"Uh...yes, I can. But I hope you won't be disappointed Denola, I can make your house look like a home but I can't make it feel like home.  Only you have the ability to do that" Amanda said.

"I know that, truth be told....I'm a little lonely. I want to be happy again, I want to follow my heart and take Teni back but at the same time.....I want to use my head" Denola sighed.

"I don't even know why I'm telling you this,  I barely know you" Denola said. 

Amanda shrugged "You probably feel better confiding in a total stranger than a friend. I can relate, I've had to deal with something like this" Amanda said.

Denola agreed "But you're not a total stranger, you're a friend now. I'm not just a client right?" Denola asked.

Amanda smiled sheepishly "Well,  you've saved me once, helped me with a job,  kissed me and now you're buying me breakfast. I'll say we're good friends" Amanda joked.

Denola flushed "I'm sorry about the kiss" He apologized again.

Amanda waved his apology away. "It wasn't that bad, how about we never talk about it again?" Amanda suggested.

Denola chuckled "Jesus,  it must have been very bad" Denola said.

Amanda laughed heartily "No, I'm serious. I just wasn't into it because I was in shock. I'm sure you're a great kisser,  come on....don't tell me you're insecure" Amanda smiled.

"Well,  I'm not insecure but I've kissed only one woman in my entire life. It has always been Teni" Denola said wistfully.

Amanda sighed "I'm sorry about that, you must really love her" Amanda said.

"Yes" Denola agreed just as the waiter arrived with their meal. "Bon appetite" Amanda smiled as she uncovered her dish of fried eggs,  toast, plantains and hotdogs. 

Denola nodded and lifted up his mug of tea. "To our friendship" he said. Amanda lifted her glass of orange juice in agreement.

*

Amanda's shoulders felt lighter as she walked into the house in the evening. Denola wasn't an asshole, quite the opposite. He was a gentleman, funny, friendly and kind.

She hadn't met any man like that in a long time.  She used her keys to get in to the house and was surprised to see Tim and Davina half naked and making out in the living room when she got in.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry" she said looking away embarrassed. Davina wore her top and bra quickly while Tim adjusted his trousers.

"It's okay, I'm sure you've seen a lot of people kissing and stuffs" Davina said. "Yeah...." Amanda said dropping her bag on the center table.

"Hey mands" Tim greeted picking up a glass of red wine beside him. "Tim, what a surprise. I wasn't expecting you tonight" Amanda said sitting opposite them.

"Same here" Tim responded dryly.  "Oh... I'm sorry. I could just go out and give you two privacy" Amanda said feeling very uncomfortable.

Davina rolled her eyes "Honey there is no need for that, don't mind Tim" Davina said.

"How was your day and how was work?" Davina asked Amanda.

"It was fine, work is going to be very easy. Denola wants me to do whatever I please with the house, he's not picky.  He just wants it to look homely" Amanda said excitedly.

"That's nice" Davina said taking Tim's hand.  Amanda noticed she wasn't too excited about the news.  "Is everything okay? If you feel I'm not going to do a good job, I don't mind talking to Denola and keeping you in charge" Amanda said.

Davina shook her head "It's not that. Tim can you go to the room and give us a moment?" Davina said. Tim nodded and walked out of the living room immediately.

"What is happening?" Amanda asked uncomfortably. Davina sighed "Tim got that  promotion he wanted, his company is transferring him to South Africa" Davina announced.

"Well...isn't that good news?" Amanda asked. "It is,  Tim even wants me to move with him. We've talked about it and it's good, I also want to move with him" Davina said.

Amanda closed her eyes "You're moving Vina decors too right, the staffs will be paid off and bits and bits will be taken to South Africa" Amanda said sadly.

"I'm sorry Mandy, I really wish there was a solution. I will hold off moving away till you're done with Denola's contract. I will pay you back for your contribution, I promise. I'm really sorry" Davina said.

Amanda opened her eyes and grinned. "Stop, I want you to be happy too.  I'm happy you are taking another step with Tim. I also think it's time for me to start up something on my own" Amanda said faking a smile.

Davina nodded "That's not all Amanda" Davina said. "What else?" Amanda asked sitting straighter.

"The only reason I agreed to move with Tim is because, the owner of the house called to say he wanted us to move out.  He wants to gift his grandson the house" Davina said.

Amanda sighed "Oh Lord Jesus" She said tiredly. Just when she thought she was moving forward, life had brought her back to square one again.

•••

'When you feel unloved, alone, depressed and screwed up by life. A knight in shining armor will come to rescue you,  he's called 'a good friend'

Victoria Island

Lagos

Denola.

Amanda's demeanor changed over the next few days, she wasn't as bubbly or excited about the job as she was before.

Denola noticed but he didn't want to bring it up,  after being with Amanda for a few days he knew her well enough to know that she liked secrets.

"Denola please come over here,  there's something I need you to see" Amanda said leaning over the dining table. Denola dropped his laptop on the table. "How may I help you miss?" he asked with a bright smile.

She didn't return it, she just sighed tiredly. "I think we got the color scheme wrong, perhaps you'd like to go over it and decide if you like this. I would have preferred maroon over orange for the master bedroom, what do you think?" Amanda asked.

Denola shrugged. "I'll be comfortable with anything, even black" He responded. Amanda rolled her eyes "Honestly you're not helping matters" Amanda said.

"Come on, I gave you charge over the house. If you want another paint job then call the guys for it" Denola said and took in her appearance.

"You look pale and worn out, your eyes look dull.  What's the matter? You haven't been yourself for days" Denola observed the dark circles beneath her eyes.

Amanda shook her head "It's nothing, I'm fine.  I think I'll just stick with the orange, but then we'll have to change our order on the furniture" Amanda groaned clearly frustrated.

It wasn't hard to get a three room condo in order but ever since Davina had told her staffs that she would be closing up Vina decors the following month,  they'd been very uncommitted, unhelpful and unserious.

They were more interested in their pay checks, getting new jobs than the current job on ground. Amanda had complained to Davina but Davina had insisted there was nothing she could do about it.

Amanda was beyond frustrated, she wanted to end this project immediately and focus on how to get her life back on track but she couldn't end the project till she was done.  With the lackadaisical attitude of the rest of the team,  Amanda had a feeling she'd be stuck with this job till the end of the month.

Denola could see her head working again and the worried look in her eyes, he couldn't stand it.  He cupped her face surprising the both of them.

"Talk to me,  what's wrong?" he asked. Amanda sighed and was about to reply when her belly rumbled, she had skipped breakfast and she was really hungry.

She laughed softly, "Well the problem has spoken for itself. I need food,  I'm famished" Amanda replied.

Denola chuckled "Okay, you should have just said so.  Let's make lunch, I have some vegetable soup in the refrigerator. Why don't you go boil water for garri and I'll heat the soup" Denola offered.

Amanda smiled gratefully "You're a lifesaver" she said. "Always" Denola responded leading her to the kitchen.

*

Once Amanda had sated her appetite she decided it was time for her to get back to work,  Denola on the other hand wanted to sate his curiosity first.

"So what really is the problem?" he asked curiously.

"Are you kidding me,  you won't give up would you?" Amanda wiped a sheen of sweat off  her eyebrow.

"Yeah,  I won't, my legacy wasn't built on giving up" Denola answered. Amanda rolled eyes "I wouldn't want to bother my client with my problems" Amanda answered.

"Fück that shït Mandy, we're more than that. You're my good friend remember?" Denola winked.

Amanda sighed again "I knew you would hold me on that one some day" she rolled her eyes.

"Spill it already, come on. A problem shared is a problem half solved. Tell me what's bothering you" Denola insisted.

"Vina decors is actually owned by my friend, I work for her. And a few days ago, she told me she would be moving to South Africa and she would be closing up over here. On top of that, I won't have a house in a few weeks" Amanda sighed. "I came here to get my life on track and nothing I'm doing is working out for me" Amanda said tiredly.

Denola nodded thoughtfully "You came here from where?" He asked.

Amanda shook her head "It doesn't matter, can I get back to work now?" she asked. "Not yet" Denola said.

"What if I loaned you some money to start up something?" he asked carefully. He didn't want to wound or offend her pride.

Amanda shook her head vehemently "I don't want pity money" She said with a scowl on her face.

"Good, I'm not offering pity money. I'm offering you a loan. You'll pay me back in fifteen months" Denola said. 

Amanda sent him a small smile "With interest?" she asked. "Definitely with interest, I'm a business man after all." Denola grinned.

"Can I think about it?" Amanda asked.

"Sure, you can. And concerning your housing arrangement, you can stay at the guest quarter till you are able to get your own apartment" Denola said.

Amanda shook her head "No way, you're offering way too much" Amanda said.

"It's what I'd do for a good friend" Denola smiled. Amanda couldn't smile back "Why are you doing this, what's the catch?" Amanda asked.

Denola cleared his throat and put on a serious face. "You're right, there's a catch. There's something I want from you,  I've been afraid to tell you" Denola started.

Amanda eyed him in disbelief "Listen to me I'm not sle...." She began when Denola cut her off with a laugh.

"You should have seen your face,  thought I was going to ask for what?" He asked laughing.

Amanda dropped her guard and laughed along with him. "God, you're crazy. I can't believe you just did this, can't believe I even fell for it" Amanda said trying hard to stop laughing.

"It was worth it,  I got to see you laugh" Denola said grinning widely. Amanda shook her head still amused.

"Anyway all I want is good company and maybe a meal together once in a while" Denola said.

"Alright, you got yourself a deal" Amanda said deciding that life wasn't so bad after all.

*

Her phone rang in the dead of the night, assuming it was Davina who had gone clubbing with Tim,  she answered sleepy eyed.

"I didn't lock the door, you can come in" she replied sleepily.

'Oh darling...i do wish I could come...come inside you, you stupid bïtch! Where the hell are you?!' the caller shouted violently.

Amanda shook with fear and jolted out of the bed. She looked at the screen of her phone and saw it was another unknown number.

"Why won't you leave me alone...please" She whispered.

'I will never leave you sweetheart, I will find you. And if I find out you're with another man, I will kill him. You know what I can do' he threatened.

"You will never find me!" Amanda shouted and ended the call.  She switched off her phone, removed the SIM card and broke it in two.

She tried not to cry but she was shaking with fear, she hated the feeling of vulnerability but she couldn't help it.

He had always made her feel so, always. She always felt like her life was in his hands and he had the ability to destroy it.

She'd escaped him narrowly but he was back again and she wondered if she'd be able to escape without getting hurt this time.

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