“Unbelievable! The goddess finally speaks, I’d thought I wouldn’t hear from you anymore. You deserted your house and refused my calls. All thanks to you, my delusions are over!” Jeff blurted out immediately he picked up Jane’s call.
“What are you talking about? I thought you would understand.. I needed time to gather my wit…” Jane responded.
Jeff laughed, “you treated me like garbage who did not deserve to have you and you wanted me to understand?” Jeff questioned.
“Where are you?”Jane asked. “l am downtown at Randy bar.”
“Alright, I will join you soon,” Jane responded and dropped the call.
“Is that Jeff?” Patrick asked.
“Yes,” Jane responded. “I see, be careful… it’s late already… I will be on my way too,” Patrick said.
“Thanks for all you did. Alex’s family and I are grateful. Your wallet must be fat by now. I trust Alex,” Jane said and Patrick grinned.
Jane walked him down into the compound and watched him drive away. Suddenly, she waved at him to stop and she walked over to him.
“Anything on Jeff?” She asked. “Not yet,”‘ Patrick responded. “Till we get something concrete to prove our speculations wrong, you should be careful around him,” Patrick warned.
“What do you mean? You talked like you have something already,” Jane pushed.
“Yield my advice and be careful,” Patrick said and pulled out of the premises.
Jane bade farewell to her friends and drove down to Randy bar. She walked straight to the counter and asked to see Shaggy. She was told he was on shift and had left since noon.
Jeff waved at her and she walked down. “Your rapport at the counter shows you are regular here,” Jeff said.
“Is that a compliment? You also seem assured and comfortable here, the same could be said about you,” Jane responded and took her seat.
“Don’t play smart with me girl” Jeff responded and gulped down his drink. “Now tell me. Why are you here, I thought we are done,” Jeff said. “Done? What do you mean?”Jane asked with feigned calmness.
“Your actions and inactions were clear. You made it obvious that I trespassed by making love to you. What we had was mutual and I did not even need to apologize. Nevertheless I did but my apologies fell on your deaf ears. You refused to see me and ignored my calls. Am I that despicable?”Jeff asked.
“Did you hear yourself? What an obtuse way of thinking. This isn’t about you. I lost grip on myself and acted foolishly.. I needed time to brace myself to face you,” Jane said.
“Shut the fuck up Jane! That is the problem!? Why see yourself as a fool because we made love? You were hurt that I made love to you and it would take some time to get over it? Did you hear yourself? We are betrothed for crying out loud!” Jeff yelled and banged his fist hard on the table.
Jane kept mute, she was boxed into a corner. “l am sorry,” she muttered slowly.
Jeff looked away and gulped down his drink.
“You think too highly of yourself and you see everyone else as grasshoppers. You know what? I am out of whatever we had,” Jeff blurted out.
“Jeff!” Jane screamed unbelievably. “Are you insane?! What’s come over you? This is just a simple matter we can resolve… I mean it was my first time and..” Jane muttered.
“Enough of your epistle Jane, it’s over!” Jeff yelled.
Jane did not see it coming. She fidgeted and shivered as she picked up her glass of drink. “… but our parents consented to…”
“Oh, seems you ain’t aware. I think you should speak to your father. Jeff said and gulped down another glass full from his drink.
“My father? Do you mean you have informed him already? You told him I ditched you because we had sex?!” Jane asked furiously.
“You know… What else could I do? My father wanted out. Save the stress, go talk with your Papa.” Jeff responded, he was already tipsy.
Jane banged a fist on the table and gritted her teeth. “Did you ever love me for real? Did what we had had any meaning to you. You had your way under my panties and you’re done with me? I regret having anything to do with a beast like you!” She said and marched out of the bar.
“You should wait for me Jane!” Jeff shouted from behind and filled his cup till it spilled. He remained on his seat and hit his heart repeatedly. He left the drink untouched and staggered out of the bar. He had come to love Jane and wanted every bit of her but he had to protect her from himself and his father.
Jane returned to her car sobbing, she was shocked and flustered. She loved Jeff and could not break up with him despite her misgivings about him.
She watched Jeff’s shadow as he staggered into the darkness. “That bastard!” She yelled in her head and concentrated as she gave another look.
She took a second look at Jeff’s silhouette, it looked familiar but she was too torn to process the information.
Slowly, she brought up her phone and dialed her father’s number.
“Butter bread! Nice to have you on line. It’s been a while,” Her father’s voice boomed into the phone.
“Is it true, father? I heard about the break up. I mean myself and Jeff.” “Yes, his father opted out,” Cole responded.
“On what grounds?! How could he?!” Jane screamed.
“Honey, this isn’t a light matter you should come home… Listen, I told him he has absolutely no influence on the matter. It all depends on both of you since…”
“Enough father! Jeff just broke up with me!” Jane yelled and hung up.
“Honey! Butter bread?” Cole shouted out but the line was dead.
Jane returned to the confines of her room. She felt deserted and empty. She could not fix where it all went wrong. She loved Jeff and she knew it.
She knew the betrothal and all was a business thing but she let it slide because she had met Jeff on her own terms and had fallen for him. She wondered why father and son opted out of a marriage they wanted so badly. She was certain that there was more than the eyes could see.
She heaved a sigh and realized things had begun to fall apart when she started to doubt Jeff. The insecurity had made her open up to Benny.
*******
“Women are easy after all. If Jeff could win her heart, I am sure your son will do better. It’s essential we get one of our own into the Clinton’s family. Jeff is too smart for such, moreover he isn’t my blood, it could boomerang,” Johnson said to his friend whom he had invited over.
“I am honored that you considered my family for such collaboration but love and marriage is a matter of the heart. I will have to speak to Richard. It is likely he is already into a relationship and a serious one at that,” Mr Kelvin responded.
Johnson laughed out loud. “You talked like a kid, friend. What do those kids know about love? Dazzle a life of fortune before them and they are drooling already,” Johnson said and continued to laugh sarcastically.
“I will definitely speak to Richard, he will come over to see you,” Mr Kelvin responded and the two friends continued drinking.
*****
Benny buried himself in work, he hardly remembered Jane and had no time for Julie who continued to seduce him at every slight opportunity.
The case Evans had with Dec and Lense Clinic was a blessing in disguise. It redefined the image of the company and opened doors for more profitable association.
The turnaround was a great one. The company’s stock skyrocketed. Contracts rolled in and the company gradually assumed its previous estate.
Lisa got no more mails from her blackmailer. Gradually, her dread and sleeplessness fizzled out. She won the heart of her husband. He regarded her in a new light and showered her with love, love making and attention. It was the best Alex had ever given her.