UNMARRIED... SO? PART 8

 

Oluchi was practically riding on clouds and it was just a week after the official girlfriend proposal. 

Yes, I know you want to know how he did it, so that you can steal his idea when you find the girl of your dreams. 

I got you! 

Now Clinton isn't a typical local man who'll just ask her in the car and move on with his life, no.

I believe this writer has established that Clinton is an intentional and intelligent man who really likes Lulu. And when you really like someone, you go the extra mile just to see that sparkle in their eyes and know that you are responsible for it. 

He picked her up at her office the next Friday after she closed, asked her to leave her car there at the office.

PS: He arranged for it to be driven to her house later that night. Relax. Lol. 

They arrived at what seemed to be a restaurant, but when they stepped in, it was redesigned into a comfortable cinema-like booth. With huge projectors, comfortable lighting, loveseats and a huge Scrabble board. 

When they went in, Oluchi was beyond stunned and could barely utter a word. Fortunately, Fridays were less corporate days so she was on comfortable sneakers and cute floral top on tailored pants. Just the right hint of work and chill. 

He led her to the love seat and turned on the movie as they talked about their day. 

"Clinton -- how did you pull this off?"

"A magician never reveals his tricks", he winked at her. 

Few minutes into the movie, he paused it and pulled the scrabble board towards them. 

"We will continue the movie, but I want to show you something."

He had arranged every tile on the board to spell out one question. 

Oluchi looked at it and shook her head laughing.. She was truly impressed. 

The tiles read: "WILL YOU HAVE ME?"

She was about to speak when he showed her the bottom of the board where five tiles laid. To spell out YES or NO. 

Oluchi hesitated.

Alarms suddenly blaring but differently. Not warning. Just..screeching... 

Y-E-S. She scrabbled unto the board. 

They held hands in silence.

Silence that said everything that needed to be said. 

Silence that screamed loudy in Oluchi's head that she didn't know what she was getting into but she was ready to learn. 

Silence that growled 'family expectations' in Clinton's head. 

But they maintained smiley faces, clinked wine glasses, cuddled on the couch and played the movie. 

>>>

That was a week ago. 

And is it too early to say that she had the best boyfriend? 

Maybe it was too early.. But it's been good. 

But what about Clinton's parents?

We haven't really heard from them since they pulled the 'wife' stunt. 

What would they think about him now having a girlfriend outside of daddy's approval? 

Well.. Let's fast track this story and find out. 

>>> 

ONE MONTH LATER.

CLINTON'S POV

I got the text from mom just as I was about to sit and have dinner. This was just another one in a string of texts I hadn't responded to. 

What did they want from me? I'm not a pawn to be used in their chess game of power and economic ladder. 

I'm a man of my own. But my mind reeled. 

Was I really a man of my own? 

I worked in my father's company. 

I live in the house HE built, and drove the car from money I made from running HIS business. 

Nothing i've ever done was for me. Nothing was mine. 

Except Lulu.

Lulu was the singular personal decision I had made in my life and it's proof that I CAN do something great on my own. 

That I am capable of something outside of my fathers handouts. 

I opened the text from my mom and read it, unsurprisingly, she was backing up her husband. 

Calling me disrespectful, then begging to know if I'll visit and reconsider. 

I was surprised dad hadn't come to the office during this fiasco. Hmm.. He always liked to keep work separate. 

Explains why he treated me like a merger. 

It was always all business for him. 

I didn't want to think about this at all. I was going to eat my dinner, and watch soccer. 

A highlight of Arsenal's winning match is sure to cheer me up. 

>>>>

THE NEXT DAY

Oluchi invited Clinton for a work brunch. It was an obligation she had to fulfill but she wanted him to see her in her work element. 

Not that she came up with this on her own, but her therapist (yes, she had to get one after she met Clinton. That prompted her vulnerability and willingness to let her walls crack) told her it would be a great idea for her to introduce him to more aspects of her life, to ascertain that he liked all of it, not just the parts he saw after work. 

She agreed it was a good idea. So she called him and invited him. 

"Oh--- I might be a little late. I have a meeting on that day. But I will show up."

"If it's inconvenient, you don't have to... "

"Baby, I'll move mountains to be there for you on that day.. So rest assured. Okay"

Baby... He has called her a few pet names but this one took the cake! 

"Okayyy... I'll text you the details."

"Alright.. I'll check it out."

Pause... 

"Babe...?"

She still struggled but she found it increasingly easier to call him that. 

"Nothing.. I just wanted to call you that.." 

They both laughed.

"I could stay on this call all day, just so you could keep calling me that.. "

"Are you sure?"

"Uh uh"

"Babe.. Babe.. Babe.. Babe.. Babyyyyyyy"

He made groaning sounds as if he was being smothered.

"You are not serious this man"

"I have never been more serious about anything in my life, Lulu"

She smiled.

"Okay byeeee"

"Take care, love"

They both laughed and hung up. 

Two hours later, a delivery arrived for him at his office. 

A small basket of food, drinks, and a box of mints. 

There was a note. 

"I could think of many names to call you, because 'babe' doesn't cut it anymore. But while I think, you should not wait on an empty stomach. PS: I got the exact platter for myself too so DON'T SEND ANY FOOD MY WAY. Lol. ❤ Lulu"

His didn't realize how big his smile was until his cheeks started to hurt. 

He shot a text at her... 

"You make my life colorful ❤"

And ate his meal. 

>>>>

DAY OF WORK FUNCTION. 

Seeing Oluchi up on the stage having conversations and handling panel sessions was such an experience. 

His face lit up at her brilliance and expertise.

How could anyone underestimate this woman? 

Amidst clapping and rapt attention, Clinton's mind kept going to his father. He could not help but imagine what his life would have been if he followed his own path. If he followed his own dreams. 

Seeing Oluchi thrive here as though in a natural habitat clicked something in him. He needed that kind of fulfilment. But that would never happen if he continued playing his father's cards. 

Shortly after everyone started dispersing, people took pictures, and asked personal questions, Oluchi wiggled her way out to locate Clinton and sure enough, his arms were open. 

She walked into a hug that didn't demand her to be strategic or analytical, just HER. 

"You were phenomenal. Look at you! I'm proud of you"

He squeezed her hand as she thanked him, looking deep into her eyes, but just like that... From the corner of his eyes, he saw a familiar figure. 

No.. Familiar figures. 

Walking towards him.. He tried to tug Oluchi's arm and signal for them to leave but it was too late. 

"So... Good to see you here son."

Son? 

"Hello dad." He said is a voice void of emotion. 

"Who's your friend? Hello Miss--- you were just up there?"

Oluchi extended her hand to accept the handshake, hiding her confusion. 

"Yes sir, My name is Oluchi."

"Dad, this is Oluchi.. My ---- my girlfriend."

His dad looked at Oluchi... And then at the woman standing beside him. 

"Well.. Hello. Oluchi. I am shocked at this information."

"I don't understand..."

"Dad---stop"

"Well.. This is Carol, Clinton's Fiancée"

Huh?

To be continued..