AFFECTION

When the realization dawned on him, his laughter dried up at once. He suddenly became pissed off. The act was no longer exciting but irritating.

Why would his Jenny see any part of Deji's body? He was trying to make her his own and here is Deji trying to show her his sexual prowess. Was this a deliberate act? What if it was his daughter who found them in such indecent exposure. In his fury, he did not know when he screamed out.

"Deji!!! Next time, you better fucking get a bloody hotel and not my damn flowerbed! You asshole!!" He hissed after his utterance.

He did not even turn back to look at the couple nor did he want to. Hence he did not see the couple who after hearing his voice, quickly disengaged from the act and tried to tidy up by wearing their clothes in haste.

Briskly, he walked upstairs, straight to his daughter's room because he was sure that Jenny would be in Stephanie's room. When he got to the entrance of the room, he opened the door slightly and he was very careful not to make so much noise. He was surprise to see only his little girl, already asleep with a small coloured bedside lamp on. The little light granted mild brightness in the room. She looked peaceful as she slept.

Closing the door carefully in other not to disturb his sleeping daughter, he had no choice but to move to Jenny's room. He Knocked on her door gently, because he did not want to wake up the entire house. Most Importantly, he did not want to wake up his mother. After the first knock, he had no response. Thumping on it for the second time, he heard a reply "I'm in the shower, am coming".

Why the shower so quickly? He asked himself. Was she's so horny that she had to use water to calm her raging hormones down? Damn Deji! he cussed out. He suddenly wished he could strangle his cousin Deji, for this was certainly an atrocity in his book. Maybe what he needed to do was drive the boy out of his house, He concluded.

After lingering for awhile, Jenny finally opened the door. She had a large robe on, concealing everything and a bonnet on her head. She did not glare at him as she proudly used to do.

"Can I get you something sir?" she asked but he was too mesmerized by her beauty. He took his time to boldly stare at Jenny as his body leaned against the door while ignoring her question.

"Firstly I was just wondering, I thought you already had your bath. Because according to your daughter, she said you regularly take your bath three times a day. She also said your last bath is before 8pm. This is already 11pm" Michael narrated while smiling.

"Well, I just wanted to..... You know, .... After all the work downstairs, so..... I wanted to smell fresh to bed" she stumble through her words while looking at his feet like an accomplished stammerer.

"Jenny is anything the matter?". With her head still bowed, she nodded in the negative.

"is there's anything that is bothering you?" he asked again.

"Sir there is no problem."

"Then please sleep well. It's good night from me." Michael said, still standing by her door.

"Do you want me to do anything for you sir?" Jenny asked seeing that he was not moving.

"You know you have done so much for us. But aside that, you are the most confident woman I've ever met in my life, despite your status. So when you stammer like this, it means there's something wrong. What is it and I would prefer it, if you kept your confidence level the way it was by looking straight into my eyes" Slowly she raised her head up and he could see her pretty eyes. She looked very shy.

" So Jennifer, you have seen my cousin's ass huh?"

Jenny was thrown into surprise as her eyes stared out in shock.

"His light-skinned, hairy ass banging Nina against our beautiful flower bed. A holy flower garden for that matter! " Michael teased.

Jenny didn't know when she busted into uncontrollable laughter. Michael liked the sound of the laughter that he joined her too.

"So you have seen it and you are here telling me stories. In fact I would let the idiot know that you have seen his hairy ass so his pride is deflated before you."

"Am so sorry sir. it was not intentional. Please don't tell him. Sir, I am begging you " Jenny pleaded repeatedly.

"What will you give me to buy my silence?"

"What would you like to eat so I can prepare it"

"I don't want food, you know what i want, besides, You know I heard you moan"

"You heard incorrectly sir. I was not moaning. " She answered looking away.

" I know for a fact that my ears are not deaf"

" I don't know what you're talking about sir"

"Jenny Jenny! the audience of two tonight" he hailed.

"Good night sir"

"I'm available to complete the movie for you. With you starring in it"

Jenny busted into another round of laughter as Michael walked away from her room into his. He heard her close her door behind him.

On getting inside his room, he remembered the incident.

"Stupid boy" he said as he entered his bathroom for a shower.

The next morning, when he got up, he heard some sounds coming downstairs. It wasn't yet the birthday so he wondered what the noise was all about. Getting up from the bed, he used his toilet and walked out of his room.

On getting downstairs, he was surprised to see Deji at home. Seated in the dining table, pressing his phone.

"Deji What are you doing at home this morning? he asked angrily.

"Good morning Bro. I am not going to work today."

"Why are you not going to work? Are you sick? after fucking all your strength away last night" Michael lowered his voice and glanced around to see if his daughter was around. Deji covered his face with his hands.

"You turned my compound into a brothel and now you are forming shy. Bloody porn stars!"

"Bro its not like that"

" I don't understand you, couldn't you get a hotel room with Nina?"

"It was just a spur of the moment. I'm so sorry Bro. We did not do it deliberately. I'm sorry sir. Besides, I didn't think anyone was still awake and I didn't really think "

"Exactly you were not thinking. Thank God Stephanie did not witness that. I would have killed you with my bare hands!"

"Ha! That would have be traumatic for her o" Deji said.

"Exactly so next time think with brain not your penis. Anyways, Since you are not going to work, why get out of bed so early?"

"Are you not hearing those sounds outside? Madam Jenny is really designing your compound and turning it to a palace fit for a princess. All for Stephanie's 13th birthday."

"Jenny the workaholic!" Michael said still standing.

"Its not just Jenny the Workaholic, right now outside is Jenny the interior decorator, Jenny the event planner and later on Jenny the caterer."

Michael sat down on one of the dining chairs.

"What do you mean by Jenny the Caterer? I thought she had hired a Caterers?"

"Oh she did hire a catering company. But, she hired them to come and serve the food to over 300 guest that they sent out invites to. Funny thing is your daughter asked her for specific meals and Jenny promised that she was going to make them all by herself."

"Wow! I pray she does not break down" Michael stated.

"To tell you the truth bro, I don't know how she's going to manage herself but she asked for my help today. I was more Than happy to oblige her. I'm going to local markets with her, because she needed to buy so many stuff. We will also take the hilux along."

"Then I should be the one coming along with her. You guys should've told me. I'll join you guys" Michael volunteered.

"No Bro, you should go to work. She said you are not to be disturbed" Deji said.

"What sort of disturbance is that? Do you know this is the first party we are throwing since we moved into this house five years ago? As a matter of fact, since Laura died, I have never celebrated any of Stephanie's birthday"

"Wow! then I guess Jenny is making up for it. Stephanie woke up and ran outside to admire the decorations. There are mobile castle tents everywhere. Its so Beautiful and colorful" Deji stated.

"Its truly a perfect teenagers birthday. My girl will be 13 tomorrow and Jenny is giving her an amazing treats with all these cakes and radiant decorations. Where are they self?" Michael asked.

"I said they are outside. I believe they are arranging the balloons. With the way Jenny is going, I swear she's going to do my 30th birthday party for me. From planning, execution and catering." Deji announced.

Michael looked at his eyes with an instant disgust wanting to tell him that Jenny had seen his light-skinned hairy ass. Rather than speaking out, he busted into laughter.

"Bro what is funny? Do you think she would not help me?." Michael laughed the more shaking his head.

" Did I say anything funny?" Deji asked again

"No not really"

"The reason why I said I would use her for my 30th birthday is because that girl is meticulous. You need to see how well she carries her activities in this house. You know that you are always busy but i have eaten her meals and watched her etiquette. Bro, that girl is perfect. if I didn't have Nina my life, trust me, I'll would have asked Jenny...."

"Get the fuck out of my sight" Michael said in anger, not allowing his cousin to finish his statement.

"Bros what did I do wrong?"

"Deji I said get up and get out of my sight."

"Bro what is it na, what did I do to offend you?"

"I said get out of here, you international flirt. Always having eyes out for young blood"

"Ha bro, its not like that. Good morning ma." Deji quickly greeted Mrs Bose as he had sighted her coming downstairs. "Good morning my son. How are you?"

"Am fine ma"

"Good morning mum" Michael greeted.

"Good morning Michael. Why were you telling Deji to get out of the house this early morning? Have you started your wahala?"

"it's nothing mum. We are just playing" Michael replied trying to look at Deji but the young man kept His eyes on Mrs Bose.

"It's Jenny ma"

"Deji shut up" Michael said.

"Deji speak to me please. Did anything

happened to Jenny? Where is she?"

"Nothing happened to her ma. As a matter of fact, she is outside putting more decorations on the birthday venue. I was just saying to Bros Michael that if I was single and I didn't have Nina in my life, Jenny would be the woman I'll love to be with"

"You must be stupid" Michael uttered.

"How is he stupid Michael?. Jenny is an amazing young woman even if you don't see it. I am a mother and I consider her a wife and mother material a hundred percent"

"Exactly mama. The truth is I am glad she is in this household" Deji said.

"Me too. She treats me with so much care and honour that i sometimes wish that i am biologically related to her" Mrs Bose added.

"I never said Jenny is not amazing. She is a wonderful person and I don't take her presence in this house for granted." Michael added.

"Thank God you see her value o. Because you don't regard anybody but yourself in this entire world." Mrs Bose said.

"Haba Mummy" Michael said in a sad voice.

"Please don't call me. Infact Deji where are they this morning? I mean Stephanie and Jenny. I've not even seen them this morning"

"They are outside ma. Stephanie has been jumping for joy since she woke up this morning to meet the living room like this and the outside overloaded with decorations. Yet, Jenny is still putting more decorations in each of the mobile castle. This place is going to look like a palace for young princess tomorrow." Deji declared and Michael rolled his eyes.

Speaking about the both them, they casually walked in holding hands like lovers. Stephanie was still in her pyjamas and Jenny surprisingly was in the same matching pyjamas as Stephanie. Michael thought they look like mother and daughter.

"Good morning Ma, Good morning sir"

"Good morning Jenny"

"Grandma good morning ma"

Good morning my princess"

"Good morning dad"

"Good morning beautiful! How are you?

"I am Fine daddy"

"Please if you are all set and ready, I'll just quickly bring out breakfast." Jenny said as she was about to enter the kitchen.

"Ha! you've made breakfast this morning?" Michael asked in surprise.

"Mummy always make breakfast very early in the morning. She even meal prep before going to bed most nights?

"And still she sleeps late" Michael said

"Yes sir. I confess I sleep late but I also take a nap most afternoons when you all leave the house. I am well rested and fit for my job." Jenny smiled

"But some of the afternoons, i hear the sound of the laptop. So is it safe to say you spend some of the afternoons reading?"

Jenny laughed at Mrs Bose's teasing.

"Anyways what are we having for breakfast? Mrs Bose asked

"Well we are having muffins, some toast, pineapple juice, tea and coffee for Sir Michael"

"Michael is fine. Please remove the sir from my name. I'm not Sir Deji the king of the flower bed."

"Haba Bro, let it go na." Deji lamented looking embarrassed while Michael laughed.

"What do you mean by king of the flower bed?" Mrs Bose asked as Jenny's eyes looked as though she was caught doing something bad.

"He does not mean anything ma. You know Bros Michael likes to tease me a lot" Deji explained and Michael hissed. Jenny quickly used that opportunity to sneak into the kitchen.

Everyone took their various seats in the dining room. Michael pulled Deji closer and whispered.

"It's all about the flowerbed my guy!"

"Bro please just keep this secret to yourself. I take God beg you" Deji pleaded.

"I thought you wanted to show love to Jenny who doesn't know who you are? Let me just introduce you to her right now?"

"Ha! Bro you really hate me. Is this how you want to disgrace me on top small banging issues?" Deji asked covering his mouth.

" You call it small issues. You should go and thank your stars that my daughter was asleep. I swear I would've killed you" Michael said.

Deji started laughing and Michael smiled.

"Daddy why are you whispering to Uncle Deji and why is he laughing?"

Before Michael could answer, Jenny brought the tray of Breakfast to the table and Stephanie began to arrange them as she has been taught. Everyone was impressed but they kept quiet until Jenny returned back to the kitchen.

She had always preferred having her breakfast in the kitchen alone.

After Stephanie said the prayers, they began to eat but she didn't eat.

"Why are you not touching your food Stephanie?" Mrs Bose asked.

"You know my mum is in the kitchen. She is having her breakfast there by herself. She doesn't like to eat breakfast with us as a family and I don't know why." The young girl lamented.

"Jenny!! " Michael called.

"Did you call me sir?" She came from the kitchen

"Please sit"

"is everything okay sir?"

"Yes all is fine"

"Where is your breakfast?" Mrs Bose asked

"Its in the kitchen ma. I was trying to marinate fish first because I will have to make some stew later before I eat breakfast.

"Please go and bring your breakfast and eat with us as a family." She looked at everyone's face and saw that they wanted the same thing. She got up, went into the kitchen and returned with a plate of her breakfast.

"I am sorry if it seemed like, I didn't want to, I was trying to package some things in the kitchen and clean up"

"But Jenny, we already have Bisola who cleans the house every day" Deji said gently

"Am so sorry for the excuses"

"You know Jenny can be very stubborn" Michael said.

"You tell me about it. It takes one that is stubborn to know another one" Mrs Bose said.

"My mum is not stubborn Dad and stop ganging up against her." Stephanie took her side and Jenny smiled.

"Thank you sweetie." Jenny complimented.

Mrs Bose likes everyone eating together and so did Michael. He was really enjoyed Jenny's warm company and his daughter's battering about the special things Jenny had planned for the celebration the next day.

"For the birthday tomorrow, I would like to begin it with a special prayer for Stephanie. if you wouldn't mind sir." Jenny said.

"Do you need to even ask for permission from him to do that? Mrs Bose asked.

"If you want to organize a special prayer. Then its cool! Go right ahead and organize it." She concluded and Michael nodded.

"I'm not organizing it per say, the priest is coming from the church to pray for a Stephanie." Jenny explained.

"Jenny I swear, I can't hold it anymore, you must do my 30th birthday. This is exactly I want. A morning session of prayers, beginning with the Lord and later in the evening a private celebration party." Deji exclaimed.

Everyone was thrown into laughter.

"Mummy should I get ready before the priest comes?"

"No no no no honey you can be your pyjamas. All the Priest has to do, is come in early in the morning, just to pray for you and prophesy blessings on your head" Jenny told Stephanie.

"That is so wonderful. You know what Jenny? For my 70th birthday party, I think I would love you to be the event planner. I like this concept" Mrs Bose complimented.

"As in, I totally support it. Jenny will definitely thrive in the event planning business. She is already gathering the experience required and doing it well. Don't you think so?" Deji asked Michael who smiled. He had been silent watching and listening to Jenny.

.

"I would also like to take from the money from the birthday funds you gave to me sir to package it as a seed of honorarium for the Priest".

"You don't have to seek for permission to do what is best for this occasion my dear. Just do it and we will support you" Mrs Bose interrupted again and Michael nodded.

"Okay thank you so much ma"

"You are welcome. I hope the priest will get to pray for the entire house?"

"of course ma. He would get to pray for the entire house " Jenny answered.

"Do you need us to hire more security for the party?" Michael asked.

"I've already spoken to the head of security Mr Mustafa. He said the command will release 20 additional officers to be security guards at the event. This will add to the regular number you already have."

"That's alright. Jenny we really need to say many thanks for the effort you're putting into this party" Deji said.

"I just want my girl to be super super happy and i also want her to set a new record among her friends. You are aware that she is about to take the junior waec examination in this new class. I want them to see her not only as an intelligent girl but also a girl who can throw a grand party"

"That's right mamma." Stephanie cheered.

Stephanie got up from her seat, and headed straight to where Jenny sat. She wrapped her hand around Jenny's neck, giving her kisses on her cheek, everyone smiled at the both of them. They had this Love and bond that Michael admired. Mrs Bose gazed at her son's eyes and just smiled.