Shadow Of Love

Episode 57

And he did. I was shy because onlookers were all staring with smiles on their face.
Leonard: So when did you start visiting the gym?

Me: How….
Leonard: I was there. Followed you from there
Me: You’re not serious.
Leonard: Wanted to follow you to your door but I was surprised when you walked into the estate cause I didn’t know you live here.

Me: You live here too?
Leonard: Yes. My dad owned this estate and many others. It was willed to me together with his business empire after he passed on.
Me: Wow. Sorry about your loss.

Leonard: Happened the year you ran away from us. Come, let’s walk to your apartment.
He placed his hand around my shoulder and we started the glorious walk to my house. Six years and I’m meeting him again, I prayed silently not to meet anyone from my past again. If not for anything, I loved the simple and quiet life I had now

We had gone into discussion immediately we went in. He had gushed at my living room decors, saying I was still single yet living in one of the expensive houses in the estate. What do I stand to loose? Daddy was paying anyways. He owned and managed RSSL corporations, he was yet to find that woman he would call his own.

Me: Wow. You’re not married? At your age?
Leonard: I’m still too young. I’ve got a baby mama but I’m not ready to settle down with her. I’m looking for that girl that will sweep me off my feet and not leave me hanging the same way you did to William.
I frowned.

Leonard: Yes. You don’t know what William went through after you left. Your line was disconnected, Facebook account wasn’t active and just when we tried to locate you, our families decided we’ll go for our masters. You really hurt us, William especially.

Me: But I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt anybody. I was dunning away from the heartbreak and disappointment. William never talked about loving me again so…..

Leonard: We had to attend their wedding because we thought you’d be in attendance. William had never stopped wishing he could see you again. But I believe God does things in his own way and time.

I felt bad. That’s why I didn’t want anyone from my past to come back into my life. My past housed lots of pains and heartbreaks but one thing is for sure…..Leonard was here now and I’ll be seeing William very soon.

Leonard: So tell me, what have you being up to?

I raised my head and looked at him. Images of our last time together came back to my head. i swallowed hard and cleared my throat.

Me: Uhm….I’ve been doing fine. CEO of my dad’s company, De Bernards. Nothing really interesting going on in my life outside work.

Leonard: Heard of De Bernards. Had being there a couple of times last year.

Me: Last year, I was in Texas. Just resumed work this year.

Leonard: Glad you’re really good cause I’ve heard a lot about the company.

Me: Thank you.

Leonard: Look Pamela, I’m sorry if I used the wrong words but you don’t have to blame me. The way you left was not good and closing all communication links was not just right.

Me: Tobe was calling me, he was on my Facebook, my twitter, everywhere. That was all I could do to get him out of my head.

Leonard: And you didn’t trust us to keep you safe from him? William almost died.

Me: What?
Leonard: Yes. I even became mad at him for letting you bite deep into his system.

Me: How….I mean, how’s he now?
Leonard: He’s fine. Very fine. I’ll tell him I met you.

Me: No please don’t do that. At least not yet.
He smiled and shook his head.

Leonard: You don’t need to bother about anything. For now, I’ll go back home and shower, change into something better and come over for breakfast. Hope your meals are still delicious?

That was the typical Leo. He always has a way of making one’s mood change just with words.

Me: I’ll ask you to be the judge of that. I’ve got sauce in the fridge so I’ll just make rice.
Leonard: Cool.

I walked him to the door and he dropped a peck on my forehead.

Leonard: I’ll be right back.

Me: Alright.

I locked my door and slumped on the floor. William. How do I escape this time? I didn’t know that leaving them all would cause such problems and more heartbreak. Tobe was a cursed being. I cursed the day I met him. The feelings of love I had for him had now been turned to hatred. God help him I don’t meet him till I die.

I stood up and went upstairs, removed my clothes and walked down unclad, making way to the kitchen. Advantages of living alone. You could do anything the way you liked. I tied an apron over my naked self and began the process of cooking. I was going to make this breakfast a beautiful one. Then once I’m done with the contract, I’ll make plans on how to meet William and apologise for all i did to him.