The moment I met you (Chapter 33)

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Chioma had changed into a set of clothes after taking her bath. So, she went to the kitchen to cook noodles.

When the food was ready, her mobile phone began to ring. Seeing that the call was from an unknown caller, she didn’t bother to pick up. Perhaps, Chioma was afraid it was that man of her dreams. She didn’t want to speak to him, because she was afraid of what to say. In fact, Chioma was tired and in no mood to receive calls, especially from a random caller.                                                                                                

Just then, her brother Andrew walked inside as she began to eat her noodles; seeing Andrew, Chioma was surprised. She looked up at the clock hanging on the wall. It was almost two in the afternoon.                    

But then, knowing that her adoring brother was right here with her made her smile. She knew that he must have come back home just to check on her. Feeling loved, she greeted him sweetly.                                       

Andrew nooded at her then pulled out a chair and sat down.    Chioma rose to bring food for Andrew but, he gestured for her to sit back. Placing the snack he had bought for Chioma on the table, he looked at her with a serious gaze.                                                                       

‘Why didn’t you tell me about your accident? You rejected my calls because you were afraid to say something about it, right?’ Andrew scolded with a faint smile.                                                                                               

Chioma almost spat out the noodles in her mouth when she heard what Andrew said. How did he know about it? Who could have told him? Did he just come home this early to give me a dressing- down? Chioma wondered. She was speechless, unable to answer Andrew’s questions.               

        

‘What? You are dumb and can’t speak? Or maybe you’re confused as to how I got hold of the information? Don’t worry I didn’t pull out the surveillance clips. You know that I don’t know anything about hacking skills. If I know about hacking, I will be invincible.’                             

‘Of course my big brother Andrew is highly gifted,’ Chioma said with a smile, trying to change the subject. But Andrew was smart.               

The moment I met you (Chapter 32)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Michael strolled towards his desk as though no one has spoken to him. Even though it was just a short stroll, he was still able to captivate everyone’s attention.                                                                                                 

The partnership contract signing with George enterprise was to begin any moment and would be broadcast live as well as officially announced to the public.                                                                                                

Michael had made the contract signing low-key. He didn’t bother with walking down the red carpet in front of reporters as most contracts are done. Even though there were reporters around, it was still low-key.                                                                                                             

At Moon Corporation, Robert sat in the office watching the live broadcast. On the screen, he could sense Michael was bothered with something which was obviously related to the girl he was investigating about. But despite that, Michael was very handsome and pleasing to behold. He was the kind that was hard to ignore.                                                           

After signing the contracts, Michael turned to the CEO of George enterprise and held out his hands.                                                                     

The man kept a bright smile on his face as he shook hands with Michael. Shaking hands with this   god-like man was like walking through heaven’s gateways.                                                                                                       

‘The contracts could be withdrawn any moment,’ Michael said expressionlessly. ‘The sky could turn dark; it would be your best interest to work well.’ His words carried layers of meaning which was understood by all.                                                                                                         

Anyone could tell that though the contracts had been signed, there seemed to be rough seas ahead.                                                               

Michael wrapped up the contract signing by having lunch with the CEO of George enterprise which was a plus to his reputation. Eating with Michael was like eating with Angels from heaven. 

The moment I met you (Chapter 31)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Reaching for the wine rack, Michael selected a wine. After pouring a glass of Amorone della Valpolicella wine, he made his way to the leather seat by the window, before sipping on the wine. His mind seemed to be occupied with something. It was obvious it wasn’t about the partnership contracts he was about signing with George enterprise but rather about Chioma Chima.           

Just then his phone vibrated, Michael glanced at his phone to look at the number before picking the call. Coldly, he said, ‘don’t make me wait else I will cancel this contract.’ He was speaking to the CEO of George enterprise.                                          

          

‘Almost there, sir,’ the person at the other end of the line said.                   

‘Lazy morons,’ Michael cursed. ‘I shouldn’t have accepted to partner with incompetent trash like George enterprise! You are more like pigs!’                                                                                                                        

Michael ended the call as soon as he finished speaking. He looked furious as he stared outside the window. He murmured, ‘you bring nothing but bad luck. I had brushed against the only woman I had ever loved just to sign a stupid contract. You better behave else I will crumple your company with my hands!’ then, he gulped down the red wine.           

      

Michael had a cold and aloof personality that made it difficult for others to get close. His authority in the business world further instilled fear in others, forcing them to behave carefully around him. So when the CEO of George enterprise walked inside the suite he was careful not to offend this god-like man. Though, clad in a Versace gorgeous navy blue suit which no doubt looked very expensive, classy and high-end, the CEO of George enterprise was nothing but a mice when he stood before Michael.                                                                                                                  

‘Sir Michael is indeed a legend of the business world,’ the man said, trying to curry favour. ‘He is not just a legend; he is an unbelievable miracle…’                                                                                      

The moment I met you (Chapter 30)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Arriving at Paradise Hotel, one of the properties under Moon Corporation, his assistant Robert rang him. Without giving Robert an opportunity to speak, Michael said, ‘What’s it?’                                                   

Robert could sense Michael’s foul mood. Anxiously, he stuttered, ‘Do I need to come to Paradise Hotel?’                                                                           

‘Get all the information you know about Chioma Chima, that’s all’. After that the line went dead.                                                                                 

While Michael stood in the elevator, his mind raced towards the accident scene. He wondered how she was doing. Was she still in pain? What if she decides not to talk to him again because of the accident? Would she hate him forever? Should he visit her and apologise again? But if I don’t ask for forgiveness again, would she not accept me?  Will he run into her again?                                                                                                  

Michael sighed deeply as possible scenarios played out in his head. When he finally reached the top floor, he glanced around before exiting the elevator with the documents and headed elegantly to the presidential suite.                                                                                                      

The contract signing was scheduled to be by 10:00 am but Michael had arrived at 9:40 am. He was right in time despite the little delay caused by the accident. Michael had selected to arrive earlier because he was a man that believed in punctuality.  He never believed in African time.                                                                                                      

          

Reaching the magnificent door, the guards at the entrance bowed in greeting before Michael placed his graceful palm against the bio-metric palm scanner and unlocked the door. The presidential suite door could only be unlocked by his palm.                                                             

This was the only presidential suite here in Paradise Hotel. It was the most glamorous room belonging only to Michael.                                         

Michael walked into the luxurious suite glowing with confidence. A refreshing morning breeze was blowing from the bay window, with sunlight streaming in. from time to time, the gentle morning breeze lifted the gold curtains fluttering and flipping.

The Moment I met you (Chapter 29)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

After Chioma left the scene and started homeward, her phone began to ring. It was from her brother Andrew. Chioma wondered why her brother was calling. Could it be that Andrew already knew she had an accident? Or perhaps he had a premonition about what had already happened to her?  Whatever it was that could be Andrew’s reason for calling her at this moment, Chioma wasn’t in the mood to know. She didn’t want to pick up because she had nothing yet to say to her brother. She didn’t want him to worry about her.     

This was something she could handle, she thought. Maybe she would tell him later about the accident in the evening. Right now her mind was scattered as if she had lost the ability to think.                                                                  

When she managed to arrive home, she opened the door and walked inside. Her mother was at the market selling fruits, and her brother at the garage. Tears stole into her eyes at the poor life her family led. She had wanted to find a job to give her family a comfortable life, only to be involved in an accident. Was there still hope for her? Even though hope was among the words she hated, she still needs to hope that someday she would achieve all her dreams.                      

Her mother Louisa rented this small apartment after Magnus died. Since it was close to the market and a bit close to the garage where Andrew works, there was no need to take a taxi and they could save some money to pay their bills. The environment though a cheap area, it was pleasant and also within their budget.                                               

Chioma took a quick hot bath, changed into a set of clothes, and went to the bedroom to rest. Just then, her phone began to ring again. She thought it was her brother but when she looked at the screen, she saw it was an unfamiliar number.    She reached for the phone, glancing at it for a few seconds before picking up.                                                              

‘Hello?’ Chioma said but the other person remained silent. ‘Hello? Who’s this? I’m hanging up the phone if you’re not going to say anything!' Chioma felt a bit annoyed. She thought that maybe the caller dialed the wrong number, and then hung up.                                                         

At this moment, Michael tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he drove. ‘She hung up on me?’ He was clearly annoyed.     

The moment I met you ( Chapter 28)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

She was in a hurry that she failed to notice her Identification Card on the ground.                                                                

This sight made Michael grin. It was as though he had found the lost golden spoon. He bent down and picked up the Identification Card.              

He looked at her picture on the ID card and felt his heart overflowing with love. He loved the way her beautiful eyes shone as though they contained a bucket full of sunshine. Her long dark hair was let loose, and her dimples made her look absolutely adorable. She gave others the feeling of being caressed by a gentle wind.                            

Taking out his phone, he rang his assistant Robert.                              

‘Robert, I want you to check something for me.’                                         

‘What, boss?’ Robert asked from the other end of the phone.                   

Michael dragged out the word, ‘Chioma Chima.’ Then, he told Robert everything that had happened.                                                                           

Robert gasped when he finished. ‘Maybe, I could come and drive you instead?’                                                                                                                

Michael didn’t reply and hung up. Turning around, he walked over to his car, and scooted away.                                 

The moment I met You ( Chapter 27)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

The corners of his mouth curved into a smile. He turned around and said, ‘whose fault was it? It was your fault. What were you thinking that made you cross the road without being mindful of your surroundings? I still have to take the blame…?’                                                      

  ‘Yes, it was my fault. But how could you shovel money like that into my hands? Chioma tossed the money at him. ‘All I wanted to hear was a simple sorry.’  Tears streamed down her face. ‘Every gentle man would do that. But I see that you’re arrogant and domineering.’ She glared at him coldly. Chioma was annoyed by the look of pride on his face.  ‘A simple sorry is enough,’ she said in a small voice.                             

  ‘Then, I’m sorry,’ Michael said after a moment of silence. What was wrong with him? When was a woman able to seduce, Michael, to the point he had to apologise for not being at fault? However, it seemed this girl was different from other girls. He had never given any woman his personal phone number, doing so with Chioma meant he had fallen for her. From that very moment he met her, yesterday, he had seen her as the most important person in his life. When he saw her just now he felt it was another meeting from heaven. He had never been in any relationship before, and also did not know that relationships have rules. He didn’t know that the best way to reach out to a woman of his dreams was through his heart and not by tossing money at her. It was possible to get the whole world with money but it was not possible to find real love with money. No amount of money could buy love.                    

He was a man at the top, a man that controls millions of people, a man in a commanding position that could control the life and death of others. But it seemed he had been conquered by this petite young woman. He wanted her to be his until the last moment of his life.                     

Hearing his apology, Chioma was stunned but didn’t speak.                      

 ‘I’m sorry again…’                                                                                            

Chioma blinked her dark eyes, and said, ‘Apology accepted.’                            

‘Always watch where you are headed…’ His voice was soft and gentle. He was indeed looking out for her safety.                                                    

Chioma managed to rise to her feet, and staring at him, she turned and limped away.