Chapter 23
” We traced you down to your house the last time you visited Judith.” Ashley said cheerfully.
Omar smiled and ushered them in.
“So we’ve finally known your place, even though you were avoiding giving us your home address.” Judith remarked.
Omar scoffed.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
” I wasn’t avoiding giving out my address to you….. it just usually skips my mind after I’ve had a long day at work.” Omar replied as she led them up the stairs to the main living room where Ife was seated, watching a TV program.
He lifted up his gaze and saw Omar’s guest.
“Dear… I want you to meet my friends…. This is Judith, and this is Ashley.” Omar said, pointing at them.
” Nice meeting you beautiful ladies.” Ife said as he shook hands with them and ushered them to a seat.
” We are so glad to finally meet you Mr Mike Davis…. Even though Omar did not invite us to her wedding…. But she never told us you were this handsome.” Judith said coyly.
Ife chuckled.
” Thanks for the compliment ma’am….. and I want to apologize on her behalf for not inviting you over to our wedding. It was due to the circumstances that surrounded us at that point in time.” Ife said with a smile.
” That’s no problem sir…. We have moved past that.” Ashley responded, gesticulating with her hands.
” I’m glad to hear that ma’am….. I’ll excuse you all to have your women’s chat.” He said immediately, then turned to Omar.
“I will be in my study.” He said and leaned forward, planting a kiss on her forehead, before he left.
Judith clapped her hands in wonder immediately Ife left.
” Eeehen!!….. This does not look like a contract marriage Omar!!” She exclaimed.
Ashley giggled and crossed her legs.
” So this is what you’ve been enjoying Omar!!….. That is why you no longer have our time abi?” Ashley voiced loudly.
Omar scoffed.
” I told you both I have been busy at the company….. I’ve hardly had time for myself this days…. There’s always a lot of work to do and a lot of clients to meet….. sometimes I have to go to important business meetings with Ife as his wife….. that is why I haven’t really been coming around.” Omar defended herself.
Judith exchanged a glance with Ashley and they both laughed.
” What is funny in what I just said?” Omar asked them.
” You are funny Omar!…. Omar….. the way you talk this days is a sign that you have a strong seated feelings for this guy…… you better confess now so we can help your life…… are you in love with this man?” Judith asked Omar in seriousness.
Omar didn’t respond, instead, she narrowed her gaze to the center table and seemed to be in deep thoughts.
” Omar….. this is unprofessional!!….. it’s against the ethics of our profession and you know that….. you have suddenly forgotten that this is a contract marriage and the reason why he married you has been achieved already!!….. He has gotten his ownership of the company shares and this is all business for him….. do not fall into the trap of falling in love with him so you wouldn’t be heart broken at the end!!” Judith counseled.
Omar still did not respond. Ife’s presence in her life had brought about a compulsion that had softened her so much and brought about her unexplained attachment to him.
” I tried……. I really tried…… but he has a way of breaking down my defense….. Ife is not any of the men I have been with in my life….. he is different……. He carries a presence of strong influence that I cannot explain and I’m so much in love with him right now…. even though I know I shouldn’t be….. even though I know I’m supposed to protect my heart.” Omar said with emotions.
Ashley sighed deeply.
” Omar…. Look at me.”
Omar rested her gaze on Ashley.
” Vulnerability is what you cannot afford right now!!….. You need to break it off….. do not forget, you are ten years older than him….. and that is a big disadvantage on your side….. and you see this rich guys….. most of them do not like to commit….. they love their independence Omar and this pretty explains why he picked a slay queen like you….. because he knows you are capable of pulling it through with no strings attached!!”
Ashley added.
Omar exhaled. This was a matter that weakened her to her bones.
” But his actions depicts he has feelings for me….. I can feel it even in his body language!!…..
Maybe I should talk to him and express my feelings so I can get clarity of his feelings for me.” Omar said calmly.
” What!!….. Do not try it!!….. Have you forgotten that expressing your feelings to him gives him the impression that you are vulnerable!!….. And therefore gives him the license to treat you anyhow….. you should be thinking of extracting extra money from the guy!!….. Omar you are expected to know this already….. be the professional that you are and stop acting like an amateur!!” Judith replied.
And Ashley seconded.
” So what do you suggest I do?” She asked her friends.
” reduce your involvement in the activities that brings you two together….. for example.” Ashley paused to rack her brain.
Then suddenly continued.
” is it written in the contract that you both must sleep on the same bed?” she asked Omar.
” No.”
” Good!!….. you can start by sleeping in a separate room. And even reduce your involvement in his company’s affairs.” Ashley advised.
Omar nodded her head soberly and listened to more of the advises coming from her friends.
Judith eventually said a joke they all laughed to, while Omar served her friends some snacks and drinks to accompany it.
” So how is Emeka your lover?” Omar directed her question to Judith.
Judith gave a long hiss.
” Abeg forget that jelly fish jor.” Judith said, waving her hand dismissively.
” What happened Judy…… what did he do this time?” Omar asked her.
Judith hissed again.
” I suddenly got tired of him and let him go.” Judith replied with a frown.
Ashley scoffed and bursted into laughter.
” Don’t mind Judith o…… she’s just too embarrassed to admit that her juju was no longer working on him.” Ashley replied and Omar bursted into laughter.
” What?” Judith yelled in infuriation.
” So your juju has suddenly lost its potency?” Omar asked jokingly.