Above is Nelson

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Spinning on his chair in his office, Wright Junior was lost in the thought of Amanda. He had shut everybody out and had refused to talk to his dad since after the incident.

“How could I have let things turn out this way.” He thought. Eventually, he stopped spinning and bowed his head on his table. Even though he knew Amanda was not the easiest person to be with, she was the only person he wanted to be with and the thought of it drove him insane.

“Dude.” Nelson called his attention, with his head poking through the slightly opened door into his office “Bad time?” He asked to be sure he wasn’t interrupting anything.

Junior lifted his head to his direction and glare at him saying nothing but his 'do not disturb' stare couldn't prevent Nelson for he came in anyways.

“Dude, you look like shit. She’s still not picking your calls?” Nelson asked sitting on a chair in front of junior's desk, uninvited.

Junior glanced at Amanda’s cubicle and shook his head “Neither did she reply any of my messages. I even went to her house, it was locked. Then I saw Mr. Albert, her neighbor and he told me she had gone back to Sultan Lake with her Father. She must hate me so much now.” He lamented, covering his face with his palm.

“She’s traumatized, you need to give her some time to heal and you also need to not give up.” Nelson advised “Is that why you haven’t spoken to dad since?”

“And say what?” He asked angrily.

Furious at his god-brother reaction, he said “Do you think he doesn’t feel bad? It was never his intention for things to turn out the way it did. He even apologized to Amanda for doing what he did on air, and told the public that she is the Heroine of Wright publishing. Have you read todays paper?”

Truly, Wright Junior had not read the papers. He didn’t imagine his dad could publicly compliment anybody, it wasn’t in his character. But Junior didn’t act surprised or impressed; he maintained a straight face, giving up no emotion, he replied. “I’ll go see him later.”

“He asked me to give you this.” Nelson’s outstretched arm held Amanda’s original brown Leather Wrist Watch “He hoped you could return this to her.”

Wright Junior almost stretched forth his hands to collect the watch but retreated almost immediately. “Did you not hear what I said before? Why don’t you return it? Sultan Lake isn’t too far from here.”

“I don’t think she will welcome me either.” Nelson said, disappointed. He was part of the entire mishap and he was certain that Amanda would dismiss him the moment she saw him.

“Dude, you are like her only best friend in this place, she will welcome you, you’ll see.” Junior assured him.

“I hope so.” He said.    

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Amanda had just returned from the local market with Drake. Since she arrived Sultan lake, she had not for once left the house. So,  her dad forcing her to go grocery shopping was a good excuse  get her out of the house. Although, Amanda needed the escape, to get her mind off everything.

She went into her room to get the novel she was reading in the morning before leaving, she had thought she kept it on the dresser before leaving the house but it turns out she didn’t.

“Nelson! Did you see my book?” She asked aloud so that her voice could reach her brother who was now in his room.

“What book?” He asked back.

“What a waste.” Amanda said sighing. She opened the bottom drawer to check, she couldn’t find it in there but what she did find was an old album. She took it out, sat on her well made bed and opened it.

In it were old pictures of her and her family. There was a picture of her and her mom when she was very little, a picture of her on her birthday when she was eight, a picture of her first day in high school with Bridget, a picture of her hold the trophy when her cheerleading squad, Sultan flower, won their first championship, pictures of her, Drake, her father and her paternal grandparent when she had traveled to Nigeria, Akwaibom state to be precise for Christmas and the last but not the least, in the last page of the album, were letters from her secret Admirers.

She had saved it inside her album since high school according to how she got them, from the first to the last one. And on the last page was the ticket she got from him to the Forever Theater which she missed the chance of ever seeing him.

She read his last letter over again,

Dear Candy,

I’ll be waiting for you. When you see me you’ll know.

With love

She angrily shut the album close after reading it. “Liar!” she whispered, falling flat on her bed.

“Amanda! You’ve got a visitor.” She heard her father call out.

“Who is it?” She lazily ask back.

“He says his name is Nelson!” Her father yelled back.

Nelson— the name rang a bell in her head. Then, “Nelson!” She repeated his name in excitement. Tossing the album on her bed, she hurried out of the room “Nelson!” She called again.

He waved slowly at her not knowing what to expect.

But to his shock, she gave him a quick hug “I’ve missed you. I wondered when you would come see me.” She said on his shoulders.

His heart sank, he wasn’t expected this gesture but it was better than what he anticipated “How are you?” He asked slowly.

“You can’t ask me that standing on my porch, come on in?” She invited him in, leading him to the living room “Please seat. How did you find your way here?” She asked, pointing  the long couch in the living room.

“Your description was very clear the last time you told me about where you grew up. So, I wanted to try if I could still remember. I’m sorry I couldn’t see you after you left the hospital, I had to be somewhere with Mr. Wright.” Nelson explained.

Hearing the Wright name again sent hot chills down her spine but,  she shook it off immediately. She had forgiven Mr. Wright for what he did and after hearing an elder apologize publicly to her, her heart couldn't bear to stay angry at him

“It’s fine. At least you are here now. Please, forgive my manners. What can I get you?” She asked politely.

“A glass of water will do.” He replied.

“Really? Uh—uh,” She shook her head “Not happening. I’ll get you your water but you still need to take something. I'll get you some snacks too.” Amanda told him. She got up and went into the kitchen.

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