9. Beautiful Pain

....

Alicia moved to the side of the bed where he lay to help him up from the bed. She didn't see his clutch and hit it with her leg, "Ouch!" she fell into his embrace, "sorry, are you okay?" he automatically held on to her. When she lifted her head to tell him she was okay, she realised their face was just an inch apart, their nose was almost touching and Braden was staring at her lips. Their face came too close in the process and Braden gave in to the urge to kiss her. She didn't push him away either and allowed herself to just enjoy the moment. She drew back after a while, stood upright and stared praying he remembered something, but he apologized to her. "I shouldn't have knowing very well you're married." He said. She nod her head as tears welled up in her eyes and stormed out of the room. "Did I have to ruin her smile? I'm so stupid." He muttered to himself. "But the kiss was perfect. It was as if it wasn't the first time we kissed. I remember the kiss but when was it.?" He tried to recall but nothing. His right hand unconsciously went to his chest. "Why do I feel so attracted to her. She's married for christ's sake."

From Braden's room, Alicia went to the living room to assure Naadu that her brother was fine then took her hand bag and turned to go back inside, "Is everything okay with you, Alice?" Alicia nod her head. "Are you sure? You don't look okay." Naadu insisted and Alicia turned towards her and the tears finally spilled on her cheeks. She wiped it fast as Naadu rushed to her.

"What happened in there? Did he insult you?" Alicia shook her head in reply. "He was behaving strangely then kissed me. I thought maybe he remembered us but he'd to apologize." The tears came more and Naadu smiled then hugged her. "Come on, calm down." Naadu comforted her.

"If he kissed you without his memory. Isn't it good my dear?" She held her a arms-breadth away. Alicia looked confused. "Your husband is attracted to you once again and the fact that you're married is holding him back." Naadu had a broad smile on her face.

Finally, Alicia understood what Naadu was saying. "What do I do then? Should I give in when he makes a move or what ..." Alicia paced confused and Naadu chuckled. "Relax my dear. I'll handle my brother. You just take it easy." Alicia nodded her head in agreement. "Your husband is all yours." Naadu teased. "Go and freshen up for supper." "Thank you. You're the best sister in law in the entire universe." Alicia hugged her and rushed out of the living room into the hallway.

***

Today Alicia had her final paper to write so she asked Fritz Fosu Damptey to visit and keep Braden company since Naadu also went on a trip with her husband. Fritz and Braden have known each other since primary school and have been the best of friends since that time. They went from Junior high to same Senior high school to the same university but Fosu ventured into corporate law and Braden stuck with managing his inheritance.

The two friends sat in his study reminiscing about the past and how far they'd come. Their laughter could be heard through out the house. They were indeed enjoying their conversation while also enjoying the juice and pastries Ruth had served them before going to the market.

"So how's it been since you came back home. You gave us quite a scare." His friend said. "It's been... hmm... okay. Especially with Naadu and an excellent woman like Alice to nurse me back." His friend nod his head. "Alice is a priceless gem. I always knew that." He said and Braden nod his head with a smile and they talked about the first time they met her. The memory made them both laugh. "She was so troublesome. She never ceased pestering you."

"Hahahaha, she was a pain in the butt, Fosu."

"A beautiful pain I'd say." Fritz teased his friend.

Just then Fritz's cell phone rung and he took it from his pocket. "One minute please." He left his seat and answered the call. "Hello ... Really? ... I'm kind of busy somewhere and I don't know if I can make it that time ... Okay, I'll do that. Thank you." He said and called off the line with a big grin on his face. "A client I've been trying everything to get wanted to meet." He said overjoyed. "Then you have to go fast." Braden said and rose from his seat. "Later, I can't leave you alone. I promised Ruth I'd stay till she returns." he explained and Braden chuckled. "This is work and besides I'm fine and can take care of myself." he insisted. "Are you sure?" Fritz inquired and Braden nodded his head. "Ruth should be on her way back now and Alicia's exams should be over by now, so I won't be alone for long"

"Okay, if you insist." Fritz took his phone and made a call.

After the call, Brad excorted him out of the study, "So when do you return to work?" He asked as they both entered the living room. "I'm taking my time." Braden said. "You, really?" Fritz teased his friend who chuckled.

They passed the living room and headed for the main entrance. "Good for you. Anyway, I'll visit again." They stepped out of the room into the porch and then headed down to the compound where his car was parked. Fritz sat in his car and inserted the key then started the car. "Extend my greetings to beautiful Alice." He said, "I will." That was when it dawned on him to ask him about Alice's life , but before he could frame any sensible sentence, he drove away.

Another car drove in as Fritz drove out and he couldn't believe who he saw in the driver's seat. "Patricia?" He memorized the car number and drove away, wandering what she was doing in the house.

Braden was about entering the house, when he heard the car drive in. "Tricia?" He exclaimed, surprised to see her.

Patricia alighted from her car and rushed to embrace him. "I missed you so much." She said happily, then went in for a kiss. But he only gave her a perk. "how was your trip?" he asked with disinterest. He realised that when the surprise passed he felt no excitement for her arrival.

"Very tedious, but I'm back now." She said as they walked into the living room. He took a seat and asked her to feel comfortable and serve herself since he was all alone and his leg was hurting.

"Hope your nurse has been treating you well?" She inquired. "I'm lucky to have her with me." He said and started singing Alicia's praise. It was so obvious he was smitten by Alice, and Patricia was not going to sit idle.

"I can't believe they left you all_" "Ruth only left when Fritz came, but he'd to rush to an emergency meeting." He cut in. "Was he the one who drove out when I came in?" She sat beside him.

"Yes"

'Damn! Then I've to hurry up with my plan before he calls Alicia. I don't think I'll get this chance again.' Patricia was thinking.

"Tricia are you okay?" He asked and she turned her stare back on him.

"I'm fine. I'll get us some refreshments."

"I'm okay just a glass of water will do for me." Braden said and leaned back in the sittee trying to figure out his feelings. It turned out he was thinking of how Alicia will feel if she met Tricia here on her return. He didn't understand himself anymore. 'Alicia is someone's wife.' he was thinking. 'Gosh! what's happening to me.' he shut his eyes.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Patricia poured herself a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and poured a glass of water for Nii. She took something from her pocket like a small envelope for medicines and took a white pill from it, put it on the counter and took a glass bottle and ground the pill into powder form. She used a spoon to collect the powder and put it in the glass of water and stired it till it dissolved completely. she quickly cleaned up the place and put everything back in place and returned to the living room with glass of water in one hand and glass of juice in the other hand.

"Here." she handed the water to him while sipping her juice. Brad opened his eyes and took the glass of water. "What took you so long?" he inquired and drank the water.

"Kitchen arrangements isn't same again and finding things was quiet difficult." she said and sat beside him. He placed the half filled glass of water on the center table and laid back again.

"Is your leg still hurting you?" she inquired while drinking her juice and he smiled. "It's okay now."

"Let me help you to your room. You can rest your legs properly." She suggested. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"I insist. I also want to take care of you. She pouted her lips. "Okay, help me then."

•••

Alicia approached her car with two ladies chatting heartily. "I guess your Nii will throw a grand ball for you to celebrate graduation." One teased and Alicia chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint you Lauren. I doubt I can make it to graduation." She unlocked the car.

"Why? Are you traveling?" The other lady asked. "No, I'm kind of busy. Are you coming with me Lauren?"

"Yeah both of us. Queenster is picking something from my end." Lauren replied. Lauren took the front seat beside Alicia and Queenster sat in the back. Alicia checked her phone and saw several missed calls from Ruth. What must have happened? "Ladies please give me a minute." She dialed Ruth's number. "Hello... Did something happen to _"

..."So why were you calling me? ... ooo Fritz? ... They're best of friends and I know of his visit. I guess I forgot to inform you. So where are you? ... okay, I'm going straight home." Alicia called off the line and apologized to her friends. She started the car and drove out of the school as they chatted.

After dropping them off. Her phone rung and she answered via bluetooth. "Hello Fritz. How was your visit with Nii."

"It was fun, I really missed him. He's fine now, you're doing a great job." Came from the other end of the line. "Thanks, did he remember anything?"

"Just memories from when we met you, but we didn't talk much. I'd an emergency call and had to rush back to the office."

"Oh. Then he's alone. I've to hurry_" he cut in on her and explained that a car drove in just as he left the house. Alicia asked him to describe the car. "Black Toyota Camry." "Patricia."

"What's she doing there?" He inquired. "I'll explain to you later, right now I've to drive fast to the house."

"Okay. But be careful." He cautioned her.

"Lord give me strength, please." Alicia prayed silently as she neared her gate. She packed the car and rushed out yelling "Kudjo!" The gate was opened so she rushed in, "Bring my car inside." She headed towards the house running. She went to the study, it was empty, so she went inside and checked the rooms.

When she came out she was fuming with rage. She went to the kitchen and threw things about as tears trickled down her cheeks. How can you betray me, Nii. She wept her heart out. When she heard the footsteps the anger returned. She washed her face in the sink and wiped it dry then returned to the living room.

"It isn't what you're thinking Alic_" Alicia took the half drank glass of juice from the table and splashed it on Patricia's face, Her action startled her. "What the_!"

"Shut! Up! Patricia!" .

She groaned, then took Patricia's handbag and shawl from the sittee and threw them at her. "Pack yourself out of my house and don't you dare come back! Or I'll make him hate you so much that you won't be able to approach him ever again." She yelled angrily.

"What did I do? I'm just following your orders?"

"Did you tell him you're being paid to be with him?"

Patricia chuckled, "He won't believe you." Alicia nod her, "yes, without proof."

"What're you up to?"

"What're you up to, Patricia?" Alicia threw her question back at her. They exchanged angry stares, then, "Get out of my house this minute, whore!" Alicia pushed her towards the door and collected her belongings and threw it at her again. Patricia took them and left the room angrily. Alicia followed her outside and ordered the gateman to never let her into the compound. "You'll regret this Alice!" Patricia stated angrily, sat in her car and drove out.

"Now, I'll run my home, my own way." She returned to the room, then the memories hit her again, she wept her heart out. After bringing out all the hurt, she wiped her face with her fingers and leaned in the sittee.

Ruth entered that moment and startled her out of her thoughts. They exchanged pleasantries and Ruth excused herself to go start dinner. Alicia called her back and informed her of her new decision concerning Patricia. "You've the power to throw her out anytime she comes here." Ruth was smiling happily, "Yes ma'am", she saluted her.

"I'll join you shortly after changing my cloths." Ruth shook her head, "No need I'll handle everything, you've been busy preparing for exams the whole week without rest so go to your room freshen up and relax. I'll prepare dinner." she said with a smile and went into the kitchen.

"Thankyou dear." Alicia smiled and rose from the sittee but she suddenly felt dizzy, so she sat back down. 'Not again. I've to stop stressing myself.' She stretched her hand to pick the glass of water on the table, which she assumed was for Braden, since, the glass with the juice had lipstick marks on the tip. When she took the glass to her mouth and was about to drink, she felt the urge to throw up and held her nose. She checked the content of the glass well, put a finger in and took the finger to the tip of her tongue. It tasted normal, so she smelled it again and felt nauseous again.

Ruth came in that moment with a mob and a napkin. "You're still here?" she inquired and cleaned the droplets of juice on the floor, luckily it didn't spill on the woollen carpet in the middle. she noticed the empty glass and the glass of water in Alice's hand. "How come there are lipstick marks on the glass? Mr Fosu doesn't wear lipstick?" She asked picking the empty glass and examining it. "Patricia was here." Alicia said "No wonder the juice is on the floor. I guess you bathed her with it?" Ruth giggled, set the mop down and whipped the table dry. Alicia chuckled. "Smell this water for me." she handed the glass to Ruth who took it from her and brought it to her noise. "It's normal, why?" "I thought it had a wierd smell"

"But nothing can compare to your smell buds, so if you say so, I'll go and change for you." Ruth took the glasses, mop and rag and went to the kitchen.