The Things Girls Do

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 11

Gloria’s POV:

Adeola waved over to me from a secluded area of the restaurant. Taking a deep breath, I wandered over to where he was and sat down.

” Hello, Gloria,” he beamed. ” You look Soo beautiful today.”

I gave him a down curved smile. ” Thank you. You seemed excited.”

” I am excited,” he said, grinning like a child. ” I can’t believe you accepted my offer.”

” Think nothing about it,” I drummed my fingers on the table, looking away. ” I’m only doing this because of your son.”

” What would you like?” He asked, waving over to a waiter.

” Nothing.”

” Nothing?”

” Yes, now can we just get over with this thing? When I told you over our chatting on WhatsApp that I accepted, it doesn’t necessarily mean I can’t back out if I don’t like.”

Adeola wasn’t sure about me. I could see that in his eyes. Early this morning, I had sent him a message that I accepted to become his wife’s maid. It was a subconscious act of mine but I did it. I didn’t know why but I did it.

” So tell me about maid’s job,” I demanded seeing he was about to ask another annoying question. ” And don’t forget I’m doing this because of your son. If I don’t like it, I’ll back out at any point.”

He stared at my fingers then at me. It was as if he was calculating his words.

” I’m not sure you’ll like it but I’m going to pay you well. Now, do relax, Gloria. I know you don’t like the idea of becoming a servant to my wife but I’m telling you, it’s definitely worth it. This is a good job. If you help me, you’ll be helping my life and my son.”

I was getting sick of this. ” Adeola, I’m not after your money. Sure I was before but ever since you mentioned something about your kids I’ve lost interest in my main objectives with you. Like I said, I’m only doing this for the sake of your son. But I won’t proceed with it unless you tell me what your plans are.”

” I will tell you but not now, I promise. It’s better you just get the job first. All you have to do is to work at a certain point for a week or more. All you have to do is to be a maid; nothing else.”

I took another deep breath then released it again. ” So what do I do in the house.”

Adeola returned back to his cheerful self again. ” You will go this afternoon to No.9 Victoria’s street. You will know Victoria’s street. After Victoria’s street, you’ll find an estate. My wife would be at home. You are to be her personal maid. You’ll have to look after her things, tidy up the house, answer the door, serve meals, prepare my son to school, bring him back home and make sure he does his assignments and tahis drugs. It’s an easy job as far as I’m concerned. The rest of the work are being done by the rest of the workers in the house. My wife would pay you thirty thousand cash and all found but I’m going to pay you #400,000 extra.”

I wrinkled my nose. ” Is that all?”

” You’ll be given a uniform. My wife would interview you herself. I’d better tell you something about my wife. You’ll find out about her quick enough, but you may as well be on your guard. My wife is a business woman dealing with textile materials. Every morning, she leaves the house and never returns till evening. She’s also very religious, I’ve told you that, so you had better mind how you dress and what you do around her. As far as I’ve known her, she believes more in her prophets than anyone else. I’d advise whenever she speaks something stupid and senseless, you keep your mouth shut and just nod. Her temper is as viscous as a lion and she’s prone to causing physical fights at any given time,” Adeola paused, thought for a while and added. ” Oh, yes, she’s a first-class b*tch as well.”

” I’m also a first-class b—h as well, Adeola,” I smirked. ” I don’t think your wife and I would get along.”

” You’ll have trouble with her, that’s for sure,” he went on. ” But that’s why I’m paying you big money. She’s hot tempered that’s why she hasn’t kept a maid longer than two weeks but it’s part of your job to endure her till I tell you to quit.”

I didn’t like this but I nodded all the same. ” I understand.”

Adeola grabbed my hand. ” Gloria, I know you don’t want to do this but you’re the only one that can help me now. My family is a mess. My son hates me and my wife is giving me hell. I want to fix these but I can’t do that without you. Do this for me and I assure you, you won’t regret it.”

He’s planning something. He doesn’t want to tell me what it is. But the money was good. I think I can manage things with his wife and son if I can.

And so, pulling my hands away from him, I grunted. ” Don’t waste your breath, Adeola. I will do it.”

Cynthia’s POV:

Getting down the commercial motorcycle at Paul’s apartment, I paid the rider and began walking into the estate. Today, I had wore a pleated skirt that stopped below my knees at a moderate level. I had also applied lipstick and had my hair done up neatly in a bun. Lucy had helped me penciled my eyebrows and made sure I look more presentable for Paul. I didn’t take my Bible along with me. If I was going to meet Paul, I was certain I had to go looking like a lady.

The gate man saw me coming and greeted me.

” Who are you looking for?” He asked.

” Paul,” I said, surprised he didn’t remember me. ” I came here the other day.”

” Oh, now I remembered,” he smiled.

I was surprised at him. He was the first gate man I’d seen that speaks good English.

” I hope he is upstairs.”

” Yes he is,” he squinted at me. ” Wait, are you his girlfriend?”

I had to laugh that out. ” Not exactly but I’m his fiancee to be. I’ve just come to pay him a visit.”

He studied me. There was that quinzy look on his face that got me uncomfortable. ” I saw you with a Bible the other day. Why aren’t you with your Bible today?”

I was shocked. I can’t believe a gate man noticed the difference. ” I can’t say. I just left it at home that’s why.”

He looked worried. Then he made way for me to pass. The moment I walked passed him, he called me back. ” I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

I wondered why he asked. ” Cynthia.”

” Cynthia,” he showed his teeth. ” My name is Eric.”

It was then I studied him carefully. He wasn’t that goodlooking and he had long tribal marks around his cheeks. He doesn’t look like a guy who any girl would find interest in but he speaks brilliantly.

” Nice meeting you, Eric,” I retorted not sure of what to say next.

He said nothing more but I could tell he was happy knowing my name.

I left him and headed upstairs to where Paul lived.

I rang the doorbell and waited. Paul opened the door and glared at me. The moment he saw me, his mood softened and all wrinkles on his forehead disappeared.

” Why Cynthia, you came,” he beamed, throwing opened the door. ” Come on in.”

I came in, surprised at the sudden change of expression. I expected to find him vexed but instead he was all smiles and cheerful. Perhaps what I wore pleased him. I wasn’t too sure.

His room was well furnished with the right things kept in place. One thing was certain, he was very domesticated and clean.

What can I say. I was proud of him.

Paul led me to a soft cushion and sat opposite me.

” You look amazing, Cynthia. I never knew you were this beautiful.”

I blushed knowing this was the first time I’m feeling this way.

” You don’t look soo bad yourself,” I said, my eyes lusting over his well built body.

He grinned then lowered his eyes. ” I apologise for my behavior last time you visited. I know I was being a d*ck but I had a lot on my mind. I just wasn’t myself that day.”

He was being a gentleman. The way he spoke made my heart flatter. Something tells me we were going to get along just fine.

” It’s alright,” I gave my best smiles. ” I understand you fully. I would have done the same if I were in your shoes.”

This pleased him and he got up and wandered over to the little fridge by the window. ” What would you take? Soft drinks, Malta, beer?”

I reared back in shock at the mentioned of beer. Does he drink beer? I wouldn’t want to marry a man who’s alcoholic.

” I don’t take beer. I think I’ll go with soft drinks.”

” Same here,” he laughed. ” I’m not a beer person either. Just wanted to be sure if you take alcohol.”

I was relieved. Thank God he’s not an alcoholic. He came over and placed a chilled soft drink before me. He opened it and took one for himself as well.

Retuning back to his seat, he crossed his legs and sipped slowly. ” So tell me more about yourself, Cynthia.”

I liked him this way. The way he posed and drank from the bottle was breathtaking.

” There isn’t much to know about me.”

” There’s always a first time for everything,” he said. ” Maybe you’re shy.”

I felt my cheeks growing red. ” I’m not shy.”

” Then why are you blushing?”

” I’m not blushing,” I retorted, taking my drink to avoid his gaze. ” Don’t let my looks deceive you.”

He laughed again. ” You’re very funny Cynthia but there’s still a lot I’ve got to know from you in person. My folks told me all about you still I want to know more. Come on, drop that smile off your cheeks and let’s talk. Let’s start somewhere.”

Meeting his eyes took a lot of effort. ” I’m sorry but I’m not really good at these things.”

” You’re not a good talker?” He leaned forward, looking amused. ” That’s very interesting. Okay I’ll make it easy for you. I’m gonna ask you some questions all you have to do is answer. That way, it’d be easier for the both of us. How about that?”

” Sounds fair,” I was a little excited though. This would be our first movement to courtship, I hope. ” Let’s begin.”

He dropped his drink on the table and placed his hands together. ” Let’s start off with your age. Like how old are you?”

My roommates were always cautious when addressing their age to men but this was a man I hoped to marry so I saw no need to being careful about it.

” I’m twenty-two.”

He nodded, not looking fazed about it. ” Ever dated?”

” No, I’m very skeptical about dating and stuff. This would be my first meeting with a man.”

” Meaning you’re a virgin?”

I don’t know if it was right Letting him know about that but I said it anyway. ” Yes, I’m a virgin.”

This got his ears dancing. I was sure I impressed him. ” That’s a wow, wow. So you kept yourself pure for me?”

” I don’t know about that but if that’s what God wishes then maybe yes,” I honestly don’t know why he was hooked on my virginity.

” I’m one lucky man,” he looked away at the wall clock. ” It won’t be long now and soon we’ll get married.”

This was one weird guy. ” We haven’t yet known each other well so it might take a while.”

He turned to me. ” Can you cook?”

Now he’s changed the subject. But why?

” Yes, I’m a good cook. Why did you ask?”

” I want to test your cooking skills,” he clapped his hands. ” This would be fun. I’ll tell you what to prepare and if you’re as good as you claim, I’ll get you something special.”

This was interesting. Very interesting. ” And if I’m not?”

He shrugged. ” Nothing for you then.”

He meant it to be a joke but I was going to surprise him. ” What are we waiting for then? Let’s go.”

Just then the doorbell ranged.

” I’ll get it,” he said and walked past me.

I watched him, liking him instantly. He seemed Soo sweet, Soo funny, Soo nice, a little serious but nice and cool. What can I say, this might just work.

He opened the door and I heard him asking in low tone. ” What are you doing here?”

” Thought I might surprise you,” the girl at the door spoke. ” Won’t you let me in?”

I recognized that voice. There was no where I wouldn’t know that voice even if I travel a thousand miles away.

” I’m entertaining a visitor,” I heard Paul rasped. ” I’ll text you when I need you.”

I rose up and took a peep. The girl I saw was the last person I expected to see especially not in front of my fiance’s door.

It was no other person but Bella.