TEMPTATION

From that Saturday morning, he knew Jenny was there to make sure his whole life changed for the worse. He scowled at her while he ate the Akara and refused to look away even when his mother glared at him. That weekend he resumed his Saturday clubbing activities. He had stopped going for a while but He loved hanging out with his friends and associates.Hence, he was glad to begin again.

Back at home,He began to notice several changes in his house. For example, the next day which was Sunday, the family went to church without him. This is because he pretended to be asleep when they banged on his door for him to accompany them. Soon, it became a regular thing. Sometimes, he glimpses that Jenny takes Stephanie to church for prayers twice a week.

For him, as long as his daughter was not harmed or forced to do certain things he allowed it to slide. His mother implored him to purchase a Smartphone for Jenny so they could communicate with her in case of certain emergencies. He bought her the phone without hesitation.

Every weekend he made it mandatory to go to the club to relax. Jenny's presence was constantly suffocating him and unwinding with his friends help him to remain calm. He also goes there to discuss expanding his crypto business.

During one of his weekend outing, when he was at the club, The manager told him someone had booked a room for the both of them. This was an expensive club, so whoever booked a room must be rich. He wasn't about to turn down free sex.

Laughing out loudly as he was told, Michael got up and followed the manager to the designated room. Upon entering, he discovered that it was booked by Matilda. Matilda the minister's daughter who talked trash about his child. He had ghosted her since that night. Refusing to pick her calls or allow his secretary let her into his office.

When he saw her, she looked very remorseful.

She tried to talk but his intimidating disposition silenced her all together. So she proceeded to pulling off her jacket. He stood in the same spot by the door just looking at her. He wondered what he would do with her. He did not like her and certainly he did not want to be in any committed relationship with anyone.

When Matilda succeeded in stripping down to her pants, he realized that she looked beautiful and he missed having sex.

Aside from his regular consultations which was his Thursday appointment, he had not really been with anyone else. He most definitely needed a woman. So why not the one who is very willing?

He gladly obliged her as he moved towards her.

"I know you're very angry with me right now and I'm sorry" She finally spoke but he did not respond. Instead, he shredded off his shoes.

"I've tried begging you for two weeks. Michael I am really sorry". Matilda pleaded. He took off all his clothes and rather than respond, he held her and began to kiss her neck. She smiled as she accepted that he had forgiven her.

They had a wonderful tryst that afternoon. He seemed relaxed afterwards. While wearing his clothes back, Matilda gazed at the used condom and asked him a question.

"Why do you always wear a condom with me. You know I'm not cheating on you my love".

He did not respond by looking at her, nor did he answer her questions. He only made a mental note not a try this whenever he was drunk because this idiot looks like she was ready to get pregnant for him.

"I'm sorry Michael if I upset you. You are so quiet. I am only concerned. Stephanie would need a brother very soon or a sister. Don't you think so?"

Matilda did it again. She knew how to upset him and he was clearly upset as his face looked so hard, void of any emotions.

"Matilda, what is your problem? I have told you to keep my daughter's name out of your fucking mouth". He thundered.

"I did not mean to offend you. I am only telling you life's realities my love" Matilda said.

"Listen to me you bitch, when I'm ready to have a child, I will have a child. Until then, whatever you think this is, it's not it. We're just having sex and it's not that deep." Michael proceeded to dispose of the condom in the toilet.

"I don't understand Michael, I have known you for more than three years. You call what we have just casual sex? just please tell me, why are you being so hard-hearted. You find it very difficult to love you anyone. You compare everyone around you to Laura for Christ sake she's dead."

Michael laughed as he walked toward her. On getting close to her, he whispered "I'm not one to hit a woman but if my dear Laura's name comes out of your mouth again, you will not like the Man you see". With that, he walked out of the room without looking back.

For the next three months, Michael buried himself in work. He executed more projects than he had ever done in three years. Every evening when he got home, he found his family either playing a game or watching a ridiculous television show together. Jenny had turned his house to a house of laughter. The girl cooked great meals and took pride in tutoring his daughter. But everytime he looked at her, the girl was like a threatening terminal disease. She threatened the very sanity he hold dear. He could not understand the conflicted emotions rioting within him. Was it lust, was it affection or disdain or plain outright confusion!

Every time, she greeted him in the morning, he was tempted to ask her "Do you like what you see?" But of course he couldn't because she was a bloody nanny.

Stephanie's language had improved drastically. Nothing prepared him for the shock of his life when he received the mail of her school result at the end of the term.

Stephanie's report sheet for that term was mind blowing. She came out with the first position out of 35 students in her class. Usually, she always came out with the 15th or 16th position. He had always accepted it that may be she was an average student academically, even though she was the smartest 12 year old he knew. But seeing her top the class brought so much joy to him. She had a sum total of 1,280 total mark out of 1,300.

She was also termed the most improved kid in the class. Jenny announced to the house during dinner that they were going to celebrate this moment . The next day, he did not go to work. As he sat down that Friday afternoon, Stephanie and Jenny descended the stairs on their way out.

"Did my mother give you any money for this outing" He asked

"No sir. I am doing this out of my own pocket."

"Thanks but no thanks. Take this card and it's unlimited. You can buy yourselves whatever your heart pleases. You did well in tutoring her"

"Thank you sir. That reminds me. I would like to talk to you about something Important" Jenny whispered.

"Okay what is it Miss Jenny"

"Stephanie can you go to the car please? i will join you soon honey"

"Okay ma" Stephanie said as she moved outside.

"My daughter replies "ma" that's impressive Jenny. Thank you for the good work."

He wanted to thank her for a whole lot of things but he was not able to voice them out.He has seen the changes in his daughter. She looked more beautiful. She was always reading or doing a chore whenever he meets her. Her hair was always well kept and she was always smiling. He looked at Jenny and knew that this one was a hard worker. Relaxing back into the cushion, he admired her body but she seemed to be oblivious to his gaze.

"Mr Michael, I'd like to have a surprise party for Stephanie to celebrate her 13th year birthday next week"

"oh she's turning 13?

"I didn't think you'd forget"

" I didn't forget. I just didn't think it was so close" He rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Sorry sir, I will need access to some funds and then a couple of invites sent out to kids around that age. Because being a teenager is not being a child anymore and neither is it being an adult. So we have to make it very special for her"

"I understand what's your budget?"

"I would work with what you have sir"

"I have unlimited budget when it comes to my daughter "

"Okay. That is good to know. I would write up the things we need this evening and get it across to you today because we have a less than 9 days for the party. I really want it to be good for her"

"it's okay "

"For the holidays also, I'd like to take her around beautiful destinations in this Abuja. Perhaps a tourist centre or something. So she could also Learn at the same time have fun.

"You think a lot about my daughter"

"It's my job to make sure that she grows up in a very good and happy condition"

"Thank you Jenny"

"Its my pleasure sir"

Suddenly looking at her, that lightening sparks began within him.

"Who is the boy that is eating you" Michael blotted out

"Excuse me sir?"

"I mean who's servicing you. You are always glowing Jenny?"

"What? I don't understand sir. What on earth are you saying?"

" You don't need to shout"

"All am asking is who is the boy fucking you?"

"Sir with all due respect, I thought we agreed that this language should stop"

"Yes for my daughter, not me I own the house and I can bloody ask you any question"

"If you must know, my personal life is none of your business sir. But I am keeping myself from MY Husband as my body untainted is the only thing I can provide for now"

"I see, so you are a virgin?"

Michael chuckled sarcastically

"Contrary to what you may think, I am"

"Don't you want to have sex ?

"Sir I don't know what this conversation is about and I don't like where it is going. I would like to join Stephanie outside for shopping"

"I'm asking a question. You know I can help you. I can touch you in several places and I can make you scream so hard!"

"Jesus Christ!!! what is wrong with you Mr Michael?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I just want to fuck you and get it done with." Michael said arrogantly as he began to press his phone.

Jenny was so disgusted and irritated at the moment as she wondered why this man was so arrogant and rude. The really good thing about him was his beautiful daughter.

As Jenny walked out, she could hear him laugh.

"Come and find me if you want experience. I'm that good" he said.